Former Super Eagles captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh, has stirred conversation by naming the player he believes is Nigeria's most crucial asset at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, conspicuously overlooking star striker Victor Osimhen once again.
Oliseh's Bold Pick for Nigeria's Key Man
In a recent appearance on the Global Football Insights podcast, the 1994 AFCON winner did not mince words. Oliseh declared Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman as the Super Eagles' most important player in the tournament so far. This marks the fifth consecutive time the football legend has publicly snubbed the reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, in such discussions.
Oliseh elaborated on his choice, praising Lookman's direct and progressive style of play. "The Super Eagles player I think has been Nigeria’s most important player has been Lookman," Oliseh stated. "Ademola Lookman almost never passes one ball backward. He was playing forwards, and that made the difference for Nigeria."
The Stats Behind the Snub and the Semifinal Showdown
The statistics from the tournament present an interesting context for Oliseh's comments. While Lookman has been instrumental with three goals and four assists in four matches, three of those assists were for none other than Victor Osimhen. The Napoli striker, now with Galatasaray, has himself been in lethal form, scoring four goals at AFCON 2025. He is now just three goals away from equaling the late Rashidi Yekini's record as Nigeria's all-time top scorer.
Oliseh's comments come as the three-time champions prepare for a monumental clash. The Super Eagles will face host nation Morocco in the semifinals at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday, January 10, with kickoff set for 9 PM. Nigeria is the only team in the tournament to have won all five of its matches, defeating Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Mozambique, and Algeria en route to the final four.
Motivational Tactic or Genuine Critique?
Nigerian sports journalist Idowu Ojomu has offered a perspective on Oliseh's repeated omission of Osimhen. In an exclusive comment, Ojomu suggested the former coach's actions might be a deliberate strategy to motivate the prolific forward.
"I am sure Sunday Oliseh is seeing all the exploits of Victor Osimhen at the AFCON 2025," Ojomu said. "The only way Oliseh might think of keeping him on his toes is to ignore him. We are all aware that some teachers will not commend their pupils when they score 9/10. They want perfection from their students and I am sure that is what Oliseh wants from Osimhen."
As the team gears up for its critical match against Morocco, a side tipped by Jose Mourinho to win the encounter, the focus remains on the pitch. However, Oliseh's analysis adds an intriguing subplot to Nigeria's quest for a fourth AFCON title, highlighting the different qualities that make a team successful on the continental stage.
