Victor Osimhen has urged his Super Eagles teammates to remain focused and avoid complacency as Nigeria prepare for their round of 16 encounter against Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Galatasaray striker, who has captained the side in the tournament, emphasised the need for caution despite Nigeria’s flawless group stage campaign, which saw them secure maximum nine points from three victories. Speaking after the final group match, Osimhen highlighted the increased intensity of knockout football while expressing the squad’s determination to end Nigeria’s long wait for a fourth continental title.
Nigeria delivered one of the most dominant group stage performances in the tournament’s history, topping Group C with wins including a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tunisia and a 3-1 defeat of Uganda in their closing fixture. The Super Eagles scored eight goals across the three matches, the highest tally of any team in the group phase, and became the first side at AFCON 2025 to win all their opening games.
“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,” Osimhen said. “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.”
Nigeria’s last AFCON triumph came in 2013 under the late Stephen Keshi, when the Super Eagles defeated Burkina Faso in the final. Since then, the three-time champions have reached the final once, falling to hosts Ivory Coast in the 2023 edition held in 2024, and suffered early exits in other tournaments. The current campaign in Morocco represents a chance to reclaim continental glory, especially after the disappointment of missing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Osimhen, the 2023 African Player of the Year, stressed the importance of staying grounded. “We don’t get carried away by the hype. We still have a lot of work to do,” he cautioned. “We are going game by game, not letting each win get us carried away.”
Under coach Eric Chelle, appointed in January 2025, Nigeria have shown depth and resilience. In the 3-1 win over Uganda, Chelle rotated his squad after securing top spot earlier, yet the team maintained control. Osimhen played 87 minutes despite carrying a yellow card that risked suspension for the upcoming knockout tie.
“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,” Osimhen explained. “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.”
The match against Uganda also highlighted squad challenges. Cyriel Dessers missed out due to a thigh injury, while defender Ryan Alebiosu was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a deep leg cut. Four players from the 28-man squad, goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, forward Salim Fago, and Dessers, are yet to feature in Morocco.
Nigeria’s reward for topping the group is a round of 16 fixture against Mozambique on Monday, January 5, 2026, at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, the same venue where the Super Eagles played their group matches. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm local time.
Mozambique, nicknamed the Mambas, reached the knockout stage for the first time in their history by finishing as one of the best third-placed teams in Group F. Their progression marks a significant milestone for the southern African nation, further motivated by President Daniel Francisco Chapo’s promise of substantial bonuses for an upset victory.
For Nigeria, the tie presents the first knockout test of Eric Chelle’s tenure. With Osimhen leading the line and a squad brimming with talent, expectations are high. But as the captain warns, the road to the title demands unwavering focus. A win would secure a quarter-final berth and move the Super Eagles one step closer to lifting the trophy on January 18, 2026.
