The dream of lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy remains painfully elusive for Victor Osimhen and his generation of Super Eagles stars. Nigeria's campaign at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco ended in familiar heartbreak on Wednesday night, as the team fell to the host nation in a penalty shootout after a grueling 120 minutes of goalless football in Rabat.
From Egypt Promise to Morocco Agony
Osimhen's journey with the AFCON began with great promise in Egypt back in 2019. As a young debutant playing for Sporting Charleroi, he saw limited action but left with a bold declaration. "We own this space, and in the future we are going to dominate the African Nations Cup," he told The Guardian after Nigeria secured third place. He viewed that tournament as a vital learning experience for himself and other young talents.
Since then, Osimhen's career has skyrocketed. He claimed the African Footballer of the Year award in 2023 and established himself as a star in Europe's top leagues. Yet, the continental crown has slipped through his fingers time and again. He missed the 2021 edition in Cameroon due to a combination of a positive COVID-19 test and recovery from facial fractures. The team he watched from afar suffered a disappointing Round of 16 exit.
The closest he came was two years ago in Cote d'Ivoire, where Nigeria reached the final only to lose to the host nation. In Morocco, the entire Super Eagles' strategy seemed built around their talismanic striker. From Fes to Casablanca, his name was on every fan's lips, often rated even above local hero Achraf Hakimi by Moroccan supporters.
The Rabat Nightmare: Jinxes and Penalty Woes
Wednesday's quarter-final in Rabat was a tense, tactical affair where chances were scarce. The Super Eagles managed only two shots in the entire match, with just one on target. When the final whistle blew after extra time, the dreaded penalty shootout awaited.
Nigeria's historical curse against host nations in AFCON knockout matches struck again. The Super Eagles have never defeated a host nation in an AFCON knockout match (excluding third-place playoffs). The painful list includes the 1990 final loss to Algeria, the 2004 semi-final penalty defeat to Tunisia, the 2008 quarter-final loss to Ghana, and the 2023 final loss to Cote d'Ivoire.
To compound the misery, Nigeria's recurring penalty shootout troubles resurfaced. Morocco triumphed 4-2 from the spot, echoing the Super Eagles' exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs against DR Congo just months earlier in November 2025. For Osimhen, who contributed four goals and several assists during the tournament, his stellar individual efforts were rendered meaningless by the collective failure.
Consequences and an Uncertain Future
The immediate consequence is clear: Nigeria's wait for a fourth AFCON title, last won in 2013, continues. For Osimhen, the dream of adding this prestigious silverware to his collection is delayed once more.
The defeat also casts a long shadow over the international futures of Osimhen and several key teammates. Having missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 edition now hang by a thread, dependent on a successful petition against DR Congo. Missing another World Cup would be a devastating blow for this generation.
With Morocco set to co-host the 2030 World Cup, age and declining performance may prevent many of the current squad from participating. The Rabat defeat, therefore, feels like a critical missed opportunity not just for continental glory, but for a lasting legacy on the world stage. The promise made in Egypt in 2019 remains unfulfilled, and time is running out for Osimhen and his gang to truly "dominate the space."
