Victor Osimhen Calls for Focus and Commitment from Super Eagles Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
Victor Osimhen has urged his Super Eagles teammates to stay focused and fully committed as Nigeria prepares for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The 26-year-old forward stressed the importance of urgency, warning that past successes and talent alone won’t guarantee success in the qualification campaign.
The three-time African champions have had a tough start to the qualifiers, drawing three of their first four matches and sitting four points behind Group C leaders, Rwanda.
With a crucial match against Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, Osimhen has called on his teammates to learn from past mistakes.
“There’s a new manager now, and we are all looking forward to the game against Rwanda to correct our previous mistakes and put ourselves in a better position to qualify,” Osimhen said in an interview with BBC Sport.
The Galatasaray striker missed Nigeria’s last two qualifiers due to injury but is expected to return for the important game.
Despite the team’s struggles, Osimhen remains confident that the Super Eagles can turn things around under their new coach, Eric Chelle. The Malian coach took over in January, becoming the first non-Nigerian African to manage the national team.
Osimhen, who was part of the squad that missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, admitted that the disappointment was hard for both players and fans. He believes the team must prove their worth on the pitch to earn their place at the 2026 World Cup.
“People say we have a talented generation, but we can only show that talent when we play in a World Cup like those before us,” Osimhen said. “I was sad, like my teammates, to miss out on Qatar, and our fans didn’t understand how much it affected us.”
“This is why we must correct the previous mistakes by giving everything to our country, our new coach, and prove ourselves,” he added.
With upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March, Nigeria needs to quickly find their form in Group C. The group winner will secure automatic qualification for the World Cup, while the second-place team may have to go through a playoff.
Given the unpredictable nature of African qualifiers, Osimhen warned against complacency and highlighted the importance of effort and commitment.
“Names no longer win matches. You must be ready and focused for the entire game. We will be playing for our country, our families, and the hopes of almost 300 million people,” he said.
The 2023 Serie A winner understands the pressure of leading Nigeria’s attack but insists the team must embrace the challenge and deliver when it matters most.
“It’s not about the pressure but the desire not to let ourselves and our country down. Playing in the World Cup is a priority, and we must make it happen this time,” Osimhen concluded.
With their qualification hopes at risk, the Super Eagles need strong performances against Rwanda and Zimbabwe to get back on track.
