Former Nigerian international Odion Ighalo has endorsed Victor Osimhen as the ideal candidate to succeed William Troost-Ekong as captain of the Super Eagles ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Troost-Ekong’s recent retirement from international football has sparked discussions about who should assume the captaincy role. While midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is widely considered a strong contender, Ighalo believes Osimhen’s leadership qualities make him the better choice.
According to Ighalo, Osimhen’s outspoken nature and ability to express himself would make him an effective captain. “Osimhen is going to speak on behalf of the team, he is going to ginger the boys, he’s going to fight for the boys,” Ighalo said in an interview. He also noted that Osimhen’s status as a key player would command respect from the team and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), allowing him to effectively communicate the team’s needs and concerns.
Ighalo acknowledged that the captaincy role comes with significant responsibilities, including representing the team’s interests to the NFF and taking the lead in resolving issues. However, he believes Osimhen is well-equipped to handle these challenges. “With Osimhen, he will speak and nothing can happen because he’s the biggest player in the team, so they won’t want to look down on him, they will listen to him because he’s doing well,” Ighalo explained.
The Super Eagles are expected to announce their new captain in the coming months as they prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The team’s coaching staff, led by Eric Chelle, will likely consider several factors, including player leadership, experience, and team dynamics, in making their decision. As the team looks to the future, Osimhen’s candidacy for the captaincy role is likely to be closely watched by fans and observers alike.
