Super Eagles captain Victor Osimhen has issued a fierce declaration of intent, stating that the Nigerian national team is prepared to "trample on any team" they face in the knockout stages of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations. The Napoli striker's bold warning comes after Nigeria sealed a perfect group-stage campaign.
Confidence Soaring After Perfect Group Stage
Nigeria secured their place in the Round of 16 with a commanding 3-1 victory over Uganda, completing a clean sweep of three wins from three Group A matches. This impressive feat marks only the fourth time in the nation's AFCON history that the Super Eagles have won all their group games.
Despite fielding a heavily rotated side against Uganda, the team's performance underlined their depth and quality. Victories over Tunisia and Tanzania in the earlier matches had already established Nigeria as one of the tournament's most formidable sides.
"Yes, I would count my country as one of the favourites," Osimhen stated emphatically after the match. "We are one of the most feared teams in this tournament. Any team can come and play us. If they are good, they can scale through, but if they are not, we can trample on any team because this team has the quality to do damage to any opponent."
Captain's Armband and Knockout Focus
The match against Uganda held special significance for Osimhen, as he wore the captain's armband for the first time in his international career. He led a side featuring several changes made by coach Eric Chelle.
"It feels good," Osimhen said of the captaincy. "It comes with huge responsibility, but it helped me understand why the captain feels so happy whenever we win." He addressed questions about his leadership by emphasizing his role in motivating teammates, especially those making their tournament debut.
Despite his confident rhetoric, the striker stressed the importance of humility and focus as the competition enters its decisive phase. "We respect every team that progresses to the next round," he cautioned. "The Round of 16 will be tougher than the group stage, so the boys are ready to give everything. We respect any team we meet, but we are not scared of anybody."
Ending the 13-Year Trophy Drought
The Super Eagles' last AFCON triumph was in 2013. They came agonizingly close at the last edition, finishing as runners-up after losing the final to hosts Ivory Coast. Osimhen made it clear that ending this long wait is the squad's ultimate mission.
"It will mean a lot, not just to me but to the whole team and to Nigeria," he expressed. "It has been a long time since this trophy came to Nigeria, and every training session we remind ourselves that we came here to win it."
However, the prolific forward warned against complacency. "We don't get carried away by the hype. There is still a lot of work to do. We are taking it game by game," he added, demonstrating a balanced mindset.
Nigeria's next challenge is a Round of 16 clash against Mozambique on January 5. Osimhen, who was one yellow card away from suspension but delivered a disciplined performance against Uganda, reiterated his commitment to the team's cause regardless of his role. "I can't question the coach's tactics. If he wants me to play, I'm ready. If I'm on the bench, that's fine too. Whenever I'm called upon, I give my best," he concluded.
