As anticipation builds ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, sports analyst Shina Oludare has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to name Victor Osimhen as the team’s next permanent captain.

Oludare made the call shortly after Chelle unveiled his 28-man squad on Thursday, a star-studded list led by Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and several established stars.

The squad announcement also included the controversial return of Cyprus-based goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, preferred ahead of Udinese shot-stopper Maduka Okoye, alongside defender Igoh Ogbu and striker Paul Onuachu, who both earned recalls.

Speaking on the state of the team and the selection choices, Oludare stressed the need for fairness and meritocracy in the national squad.

“In the end, a Super Eagles spot isn’t anyone’s birthright. Let’s give these new faces a fair chance to show what they can offer,” he said.

The respected analyst insisted that Osimhen, widely regarded as the team’s leader on and off the pitch, is the obvious choice to take over the captaincy role permanently.

“And frankly, Victor Osimhen should be named Nigeria’s next permanent captain. Period,” Oludare declared.

Osimhen, who has become the face of the national team in recent years, is expected to play an important role when Nigeria begins its AFCON Group C campaign in Morocco.