Nigeria midfielder Frank Onyeka hails Victor Osimhen’s impact ahead of 2025 AFCON

Midfielder Frank Onyeka believes Victor Osimhen’s presence gives Nigeria a clear edge at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, insisting the striker’s reputation alone is enough to unsettle opposition defenders.

Both players started in the 2023 AFCON final defeat to hosts Ivory Coast, a result Onyeka says the Super Eagles are determined to correct. While Osimhen scored just once during that tournament, his overall contribution to the national team remains significant.

The 27-year-old has 31 goals in 45 appearances, second only to Rashidi Yekini in Nigeria’s all-time scoring chart.

“He’s such an amazing player,” Onyeka told BBC Sport Africa. “He’s a guy that wants to fight for every single ball. For me, I think the defenders are scared of him. Victor is on another level.”

Onyeka also pointed to Nigeria’s struggles when Osimhen was unavailable during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where the team managed only four points from a possible 15 in his absence.

The midfielder admitted Osimhen’s withdrawal at half-time during the World Cup play-off defeat to DR Congo had a clear effect on the game.

“Missing Victor going into the second half, it changed a bit,” Onyeka said. “Even one of the players from Congo said the same. When Victor left it gave the defenders a bit of rest and then they can relax a bit.”