Nigeria pin AFCON hopes on Osimhen after World Cup heartbreak

By WOBET On Dec 23, 2025

Nigeria arrive at the Africa Cup of Nations with redemption on their minds. Two years on from their painful defeat to Ivory Coast in the 2023 final, the Super Eagles begin their campaign against Tanzania with the weight of expectation pressing heavily on their shoulders.

And at the centre of it all stands Victor Osimhen , the striker whose journey from hardship in Lagos to superstardom in Europe has made him the nation’s talisman.

A nation’s great hope

Nigeria’s last AFCON triumph came in 2013, and since then the Super Eagles have endured near misses and disappointments. For many, Osimhen represents the difference-maker who can finally end that wait.

The Galatasaray forward has been in prolific form, scoring freely in both domestic and European competition. His six goals in four Champions League matches this season underline his status as one of the most feared strikers in the world.

With 31 international goals, Osimhen is closing in on Rashidi Yekini’s all-time record. His hat-trick against Benin and brace against Gabon in recent qualifiers showcased his ability to deliver when it matters most.

From Lagos struggles to European stardom

Osimhen’s story is one of resilience. Born in Lagos, he grew up in Olususon, a community built around a sprawling rubbish dump. “My childhood was really tough. I came from a very poor background,” he recalled in an interview with UEFA.

The youngest of seven siblings, he lost his mother at a young age and endured years of hardship. Yet football became his escape, and his talent eventually carried him to Europe.

After an initial move to Wolfsburg stalled due to injuries, Osimhen reignited his career at Charleroi in Belgium, scoring 20 goals in a single season. Lille quickly took notice, and his performances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League earned him the club’s Player of the Season award.

Napoli breakthrough and setbacks

Napoli paid a club-record fee of up to €80m to sign Osimhen in 2020. His early years in Italy were disrupted by injuries and illness, including a fractured skull in 2021 that forced him to wear a protective mask.

Galatasaray icon

A loan move to Galatasaray in 2024 reignited his career. Welcomed by thousands of fans in Istanbul, Osimhen delivered a record-breaking debut season, scoring 37 goals in all competitions and guiding the club to a domestic double.

He became the first foreign player to score a Champions League hat-trick for Galatasaray, overtaking Obafemi Martins as Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in European competitions. His impact has been so profound that he is already regarded as one of the greatest players to grace the Turkish Super Lig.

Why Nigeria need him

Osimhen’s importance to Nigeria cannot be overstated. He is their focal point in attack, their leader on the pitch, and their symbol of resilience off it.

With Kelechi Iheanacho and Samuel Chukwueze offering support, the Super Eagles boast attacking depth, but it is Osimhen who provides the cutting edge. His presence alone forces defences to adapt, creating space for teammates to exploit.

Nigeria’s hopes of ending a 12-year wait for AFCON glory rest heavily on his shoulders. For Osimhen, who has carried the weight of expectation throughout his career, triumph in Morocco would represent the ultimate crowning moment.

Redemption on the horizon

For a player who has overcome adversity at every stage of his journey, the challenge of leading Nigeria to AFCON glory is nothing new.

The Super Eagles have the talent, the depth, and the hunger. But it is Osimhen , the boy from Olususon who rose from poverty to become one of the world’s best strikers , who embodies their quest for redemption.

If Nigeria are to lift the trophy in 2025, it will almost certainly be with Victor Osimhen at the heart of the story.