Nigeria’s opponents at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations will be facing a striker they fear before a ball is even kicked, according to Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka.
Brentford’s Onyeka has hailed teammate Victor Osimhen as being “on another level” and believes the mere presence of the Napoli hitman gives Nigeria a massive psychological edge in Morocco. The Eagles are desperate to go one better than 2023’s final heartbreak against Ivory Coast.
“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.”
The stats back up Osimhen’s importance. Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign stuttered badly without him, taking just four points from five games he missed. His impact was felt acutely in the decisive play off against DR Congo, where the team lost their way after he went off at half time.
“Even one of the players from Congo said the same,” Onyeka revealed. “When Victor left it gave the defenders a bit of rest and then they can relax a bit.”
While Osimhen is the superstar, Onyeka’s own role has grown under new boss Eric Chelle, the Malian coach credited with reviving the side’s spirit. “He came in and changed everything,” said Onyeka. “He’s a loving coach. The way he speaks to the players, he makes fun of the players. It’s just different.”
The tournament won’t be without its challenges, however. The shock retirement of captain William Troost Ekong and a serious knee injury to promising Brentford teammate Benjamin Frederick is a “big blow” to the defence.
Onyeka, 27, heads into the tournament having focused on his own mental game during a loan spell at Augsburg, using mindfulness techniques to stay sharp. He’s also added crucial goals to his game, netting vital late strikes in the failed World Cup qualifying bid.
“Sad that we didn’t qualify… It’s a motivation for us to go into Afcon and win it and bring it back home,” he said, fully aware of the crushing pressure and expectation from a football mad nation. “If you see some comments every time we lose games, it’s annoying. But I understand them.”
With a feared striker, a new managerial voice, and a point to prove, Nigeria’s mission in Morocco is clear: turn that fear in opposition defenders into continental glory.