Former Super Eagles of Nigeria striker Jude Odion Ighalo has thrown his support behind Victor Osimhen as the right man to captain Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, following the international retirement of William Troost-Ekong.
Naija News reports that Troost-Ekong’s decision to step aside, despite being named in the provisional squad weeks before the tournament, has created a leadership gap in the Super Eagles and stirred debate over who should wear the armband at the continent’s biggest football showpiece.
With several experienced players in the squad, including Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and Chidozie Awaziem, many fans and analysts have tipped Ndidi as a natural successor. However, Ighalo believes Osimhen brings something different to the role.
Speaking in an interview with veteran football journalist Colin Udoh, the former Manchester United striker stressed that his choice has nothing to do with age or years of service.
“Victor, I will give you my reason why, not because he is the oldest player in the team, because there are people ahead of him. Simon is older, Ndidi, Iwobi, and I think Awaziem, so there are people ahead of him,” he said.
According to Ighalo, leadership goes beyond seniority. He described Osimhen as outspoken, fearless and willing to demand accountability both on and off the pitch, qualities he feels are essential for a Super Eagles captain.
He contrasted that with Ndidi’s calm and reserved nature, arguing that Osimhen has the personality to speak up for teammates, motivate the squad and confront tough situations when they arise.
“Because now Osimhen is doing well and he is in his time, he has the balls to demand. Ndidi is not the talking type. Ndidi is a very calm person, but Osimhen is outspoken; he is going to speak on behalf of the team,” Ighalo explained.
“He is going to ginger the boys, you see in the games sometimes he will say common, sometimes you see him talking loud, he is going to fight for the boys, he is going to speak to anybody he needs to speak to, to make sure they are okay.”
Ighalo also pointed to the often unseen pressures that come with being captain of the Super Eagles, noting that the role involves acting as a bridge between the players and the Nigeria Football Federation.
“This captain job is not easy because your neck is on the line, because whatever the boys demand, it is you who would put it to the NFF,” he said.
“And if NFF want to come, they are coming for you because you are the captain and the one who said it to the press or in public.”
He added that Osimhen’s status as one of the team’s biggest stars gives him added authority, insisting that players who perform at the highest level naturally earn the right to demand better standards.
“With him, I believe he is going to speak, and nothing can happen because he is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, players on that team,” Odion Ighalo said.
“So, they won’t want to look down on him or talk down on him; they will listen to him. Because, he is doing well, when you are doing well you have every power, control, to demand stuff, something, and he is in that position not because he is the oldest in the team or better than others but I believe he has that character to speak and demand things and ginger the players, and can shout.”
Beyond words, Ighalo praised Osimhen’s work rate and intensity, saying his relentless running and fighting spirit set the standard for others to follow.
“Even at his age, he can advise the team and talk to them because when you see somebody like him, hustling, running, and fighting, you as a player want to work hard because he is not just talking from the mouth, he is showing it on the pitch, so you will listen and do too,” he added.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania at the 2025 AFCON, as the Super Eagles aim for a fourth continental title and seek to make amends for missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
