We are ready – Osimhen confident ahead of Super Eagles’ game against Mozambique

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has assured fans that the Super Eagles are ready to take on Mozambique in the Round of 16 at the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco.

Nigeria, the three-time AFCON champions, have been drawn against Mozambique, and their confidence is sky-high.

Osimhen mentioned the Super Eagles are one of the biggest teams on the African Continent, and other teams should, in fact, be shivering if they’re drawn against Nigeria.

The Galatasaray striker believes Nigeria are one of the favourites to win the AFCON title after coming second in Cote d’Ivoire two years ago.

“Yes, I would count my country as one of the favourites. We are one of the most feared teams in this tournament. Any team can come and play us,” he told ESPN.

“If they are good, they can scale through, but if they are not, we can trample on any team because this team has got the quality to do damage to any big team, any good team in this tournament.

“We respect every team that progresses to the next round, and anyone we meet in the next round, they are going to see the fighting spirit of Nigeria.

“The round of 16 is going to be even tougher than the group stages, so the boys are ready to give everything. But the team is ready to face any opponent.

“We respect any team that scales through, but we are not scared of anybody. It will mean a lot, not just to me, to the whole team, but to Nigeria.

“It has been a long time since this trophy came to Nigeria, and the boys, every training, we are passing a clear message that we came here to get the trophy.

“I want it as badly as every other country that came to win it. Just like the rest of my teammates, that is why we come together to try to make sure that we achieve this objective.

Nigeria earned the maximum points from the group games, but the players will not let their guards low.

“We don’t get carried away by the hype. We still have a lot of work to do,” Osimhen cautioned.

“We are going game by game, not letting each win get us carried away.

Typically, a feisty character due to his pressing and hunger for goals, Osimhen cut a more composed figure against Uganda, and he revealed that came as a result of his being captain for the day.

“It feels good. It comes with a huge responsibility, but I think I have gained some experience to be able to lead the team.

“Now I can see the reason why (team captain Wilfred) Ndidi feels so happy every time we win.

“The coach gave clear instructions for how he wanted us to play against Uganda.

“For me, it was important to lead the boys in the right way, to try to give them the motivation they need because for most of them this was the first game they started in this Afcon, so it was important to try to put them in the right frame of mind.

Eric Chelle opted to rotate against Uganda, given that his side would be heading into the next round as Group C leaders after victories in their first two games.

He brought in players Francis Uzoho, Ryan Alebiosu, Igoh Ogbu, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Moses Simon, and Paul Onuachu.

However, Osimhen played 87 minutes against Paul Put’s side despite having a yellow card heading into the game, knowing an addition to his collection would’ve led to a suspension from the game against Mozambique.

The decision stunned many, but Chelle was firm and convinced he made the right decision by not giving the Galatasaray striker any rest. In the same vein, Osimhen agreed.

“I can’t question the coach’s tactics. If he wants me to play, I’m there. If he puts me on the bench and lets others play, I’m okay with that, too.

“I don’t care about the yellow card. Whenever I’m called upon to play, I have to accept the call. I just do what I needed to do, and when it was time to get me off the pitch, he did,” he concluded.

Amas Obasogie, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Salim Fago, and Cyriel Dessers were unable to get minutes against Uganda and are the only players from the 28-man squad who’ve not featured in the AFCON 2025 tournament.

Chelle confirmed the former Rangers striker suffered a thigh injury, while Ryan Alebiosu is out of the tournament with a deep leg cut.

Soccernet.