Where Victor Osimhen leads, belief follows for Nigeria.
The 27-year-old striker has been central to the Super Eagles’ flawless Africa Cup of Nations campaign so far, with five wins from five matches setting up a semi-final showdown against hosts Morocco on Wednesday.
Osimhen enters the last four as joint-second top scorer in the tournament with four goals, alongside Mohamed Salah and one behind Morocco’s Brahim Díaz. His influence, however, extends far beyond the raw numbers.
The path to this stage has not been without turbulence. Nigeria’s convincing 4–0 last-16 victory over Mozambique was overshadowed by a highly publicised on-field confrontation between Osimhen and team-mate Ademola Lookman. The striker confronted Lookman for failing to square the ball in a clear scoring opportunity and then gestured towards head coach Eric Chelle to make a substitution — which followed shortly after. Osimhen subsequently headed straight down the tunnel at full-time, bypassing celebrations.
Reports later emerged suggesting Osimhen had threatened to leave the squad, claims the Nigeria camp strongly denied. Both the player and Chelle insisted the disagreement was resolved swiftly and internally.
Those close to Osimhen argue that such moments are inseparable from his competitive edge. They maintain that his relentless will to win — sometimes mistaken for selfishness — is precisely what defines him as a striker and leader.
With just two goals needed to equal the late Rashidi Yekini’s national record of 37 goals, Osimhen is on the cusp of cementing his place in Nigerian football history.
“It doesn’t matter if I equal or surpass the record,” Osimhen said. “Rashidi Yekini is the best striker the Super Eagles have ever produced. I’m just trying to win something important for my country.”
Born in Lagos, Osimhen’s early life was shaped by adversity. After losing both parents at a young age, he was forced to sell bottled water in traffic to support himself and his siblings.
Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong believes those experiences forged Osimhen’s mentality.
“He’s had a tough upbringing,” Troost-Ekong told BBC World Service. “He had to fend for himself and his family. That gives him real hunger and hustle.
“He wants to score everything. He’s first in the box, first at the buffet, elbowing his way in. That spirit is exactly what you want in a team. It makes him a leader and a role model for the next generation.”
Troost-Ekong added that Osimhen’s edge is what elevates him into the elite bracket. “That’s what makes him the superstar that he is.”
Yekini’s record — 37 goals in 58 internationals — has long stood as the benchmark for Nigerian forwards. Osimhen now sits on 35 goals from 50 appearances, with history firmly within reach.
If he surpasses that tally during this tournament, Nigeria’s prospects of lifting a fourth AFCON title would be significantly enhanced, particularly as they seek redemption after failing to qualify for this summer’s World Cup.
Troost-Ekong insists that personal milestones remain secondary for Osimhen. “All of us want to be etched into history, but Victor’s focus is on winning AFCON,” he said. “His respect for Yekini says everything about him.”
Nigerian football journalist Oluwashina Okeleji has gone further, describing Osimhen as the “new king of Nigerian football”.
“He’s been marked for greatness since his under-17 days,” Okeleji said. “Within the squad, he’s the biggest star. When he’s not there, Nigeria struggles.
“He may not wear the armband, but the team sees him as a leader. Everything goes through him.”
Osimhen’s standing has been reinforced by sustained excellence at club level. He first announced himself on the European stage with Lille during the 2019–20 season, scoring 18 goals in all competitions before earning a club-record move to Napoli.
It was in Italy that Osimhen truly ascended to elite status. His 26 goals in the 2022–23 campaign powered Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years, while also making him the highest-scoring African player in Serie A history, surpassing George Weah’s record.
A high-profile Premier League move appeared likely in 2023, but Galatasaray instead secured his services. Initially arriving on loan, Osimhen scored 26 goals in 30 matches as the Turkish giants completed a domestic league and cup double.
Now a permanent Galatasaray player, he has maintained his formidable output, scoring six goals in 12 appearances this season and continuing to strike fear into defences wherever he plays.
From the streets of Lagos to the summit of African football, Osimhen’s journey — defined by resilience, leadership and relentless ambition — has made him not just Nigeria’s talisman, but the defining figure of a generation.
