‘It will be a bit shameful’ - Ex-Super Eagles star claims Osimhen, Lookman and others need to win the AFCON

He stated that it would be a "shameful" failure if they do not win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash against Algeria in Morocco, with the team aiming for the semi-final spot. 

The three-time champions are riding a wave of momentum, largely thanks to the stellar form of forwards Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen. 

Onazi, a key member of the 2013 AFCON-winning team, believes this generation possesses the quality to lift the trophy and must seize the opportunity.

"This generation of Super Eagles need to win the AFCON title for themselves," Onazi told PUNCH Sports Extra. "It will be a bit shameful for players of this calibre in the squad to not touch the AFCON trophy."

"When you win the AFCON, it gives you an edge in your career. It is one of the biggest trophies in the world," the former Lazio midfielder noted. "It is good for the players and good for the country."

His comments arrive as the team moves past recent off-field issues. Earlier in the week, reports of internal tensions led to a cancelled training session, sparking concerns about their preparations for the crucial knockout stages.

However, officials have confirmed that these matters have been resolved. The Nigerian delegation has since travelled from Fez to Marrakech for the quarter-final, with normal team activities and training set to resume ahead of the highly anticipated match against Algeria.