Former Barcelona and Nigeria legend Emmanuel Amunike has identified Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen as the catalyst for a potential Super Eagles triumph at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The 55-year-old former winger believes the striker possesses the leadership qualities and tenacity required to return the continental crown to Nigeria for the first time since 2013.
Amunike, who mentored Osimhen during their successful 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign, noted that the reigning African Player of the Year maintains the same hunger that characterized his early career.
The Super Eagles enter this tournament with a point to prove after finishing as runners-up in the previous edition. Under the guidance of former head coach José Peseiro, Nigeria narrowly missed out on the title in Ivory Coast, falling 2-1 to the host nation in a tense final. Now led by Éric Chelle, the team faces the task of converting their individual talent into collective success. Amunike emphasized that the squad must prioritize grit and on-field results over verbal assertions of dominance.
“When I look back at [Victor] Osimhen, the same character he’s demonstrating as a leader is what he has done over the years,” Amunike told Victor Modo in a recent interview. “I am glad, and I’d love to see Osimhen win the AFCON with his group, but they’ve to win it by fighting and earning it, not by talking.”
As Nigeria navigates a challenging Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania, the expectations for Osimhen remain immense. Amunike insists that the path to victory requires the team to match their technical skill with a high work rate to avoid the disappointments of the past. The legendary winger’s endorsement serves as a call to action for the current generation to cement their legacy by securing Nigeria’s fourth continental title on North African soil.
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