'I fear him more than Osimhen' — Fans reveal which Super Eagles star scares them most at AFCON 2025

The conversation Nigeria's coaching staff wants to hear is happening across social media and in football circles throughout Africa: which Super Eagles player should opponents fear most at AFCON 2025?

While Victor Osimhen's name has long been synonymous with Nigerian attacking threat, Ademola Lookman is making an increasingly compelling case as the team's most dangerous weapon after just two matches in Morocco.

The Atalanta winger has been electric in Nigeria's opening fixtures, directly contributing to all four goals as the Super Eagles secured their knockout stage berth with two consecutive victories.

His impressive performance in the thrilling 3-2 victory over Group C biggest rivals Tunisia particularly caught attention across the continent.

Against Tunisia, Lookman orchestrated the victory with surgical precision, providing the assist for Osimhen's opener, setting up Nigeria's second goal, and then scoring the crucial third after combining brilliantly with Osimhen.

His tournament tally now stands at two goals and two assists, numbers that have forced a recalibration of how opponents view the Nigerian threat.

"Lookman is a problem, I fear him more than Osimhen," one fan declared on social media, capturing a sentiment that's gaining traction among supporters and analysts.

The debate itself reveals Nigeria's greatest strength heading into the knockout round, they're no longer a predictable, one-dimensional side.

While Osimhen's physical presence and finishing ability remain formidable, Lookman's creativity, movement, and ability to unlock defences from multiple positions gives the Super Eagles tactical flexibility that makes them nightmarish to prepare for.

"He's dangerous," another supporter noted, while others praised his ruthlessness in front of goal and compared his AFCON performances to peak Ronaldinho.

The 28-year-old's resurgence comes after what some observers described as a distracted start to the season following a rejected transfer request at Atalanta.

But in Morocco, Lookman appears fully focused and operating at the level that made him one of Europe's most exciting attacking talents in recent seasons.

Perhaps most encouraging for Nigeria is the visible chemistry between Lookman and Osimhen. The pair's combination for the third goal against Tunisia showcased an understanding that could prove decisive in tight knockout matches.

Lookman himself has spoken publicly about their developing partnership on the pitch, suggesting this connection will only strengthen as the tournament progresses.

"When it's time to play AFCON, he turns into Ronaldinho," one admiring fan posted, capturing the transformation many have observed.

The divided opinions among rival supporters, some still fixated on containing Osimhen, others now prioritising Lookman, represents exactly the dilemma Nigeria's coaching staff hoped to create.

A team with multiple match-winners forces opponents into impossible defensive decisions and creates space for others to exploit.

As the Super Eagles advance to the knockout stage with momentum and confidence, one thing is clear: whether it's Osimhen's power or Lookman's guile that ultimately destroys you, Nigeria has the weapons to hurt opponents in countless different ways.

That versatility, more than any individual brilliance, may be what makes them genuine contenders to lift the trophy.