Why Osimhen is the right man to replace retired Troost-Ekong as Super Eagles captain - Ighalo

Former Super Eagles striker and AFCON top scorer Odion Ighao has now added his voice to the debate, backing his friend Victor Osimhen as the ideal William Troost-Ekong successor to lead Nigeria into the tournament and going forward. 

Speaking during a video conversation with former Super Eagles media officer Colin Udoh, Ighalo explained that Osimhen’s rise into leadership has been shaped by more than just his talent. 

According to the former striker, while the 26-year-old is not the oldest player in terms of caps, with Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi in the team, Osimhen’s hard work and consistent form set him apart from the current squad, especially at a time when Nigeria are preparing for the pressure and expectations of AFCON 2025. 

“I'll give you my reason why. Not because he's the oldest player in the team, but because there are people ahead of him in the team. “There's like 4 or 5 right now. I think Simon is the oldest, there are people ahead of him. But because now Osimhen is doing well, he is in his time. And he has the balls to demand what they want.”

The former Manchester United star also highlighted Osimhen’s willingness to speak up, describing the Galatasaray icon as outspoken, in a positive sense, a player unafraid to demand standards from everyone and take responsibility in difficult situations and moments.

[Wilfred] Ndidi is not a talking type. Indeed he's a very calm guy. But Osimhen is outspoken. He's going to speak on behalf of the team. He's gonna ginger the boys. You see in the game sometimes he will say, ‘hey, hey, come on’, you see, sometimes you see him talking loud. You understand, he's going to fight for the boys. He's going to speak to anybody he needs to speak to, to make sure they are OK.

Beyond words, Ighalo stressed that Osimhen’s biggest strength lies in the fact that he is doing well which gives him the power to control things - in the dressing room, and also on how he carries himself on the pitch, noting that he leads by example through his intensity, commitment and refusal to hide when games become tough.

With AFCON 2025 approaching and the Super Eagles stepping up preparation with a friendly against Egypt in Cairo, the former Nigerian international believes those qualities matter more than seniority alone, especially for a Super Eagles squad expected to challenge deep into the tournament in Morocco.

Troost-Ekong’s shock exit has created a leadership vacuum, but Ighalo’s point of view suggests that Nigeria may already have a captain who embodies the attitude, edge, and responsibility needed for the task ahead. 

Whether Osimhen, who has yet to report to camp for AFCON and missed the game against the Pharaohs, eventually gets the armband or not, the debate itself shows a wider truth as the AFCON 2025 draws ever closer - that leadership, not just talent, will define Nigeria’s campaign in North Africa.