22
Former Super Eagles midfielder Etim Esin has warned that Nigeria’s over-reliance on Victor Osimhen could jeopardize their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles currently sit fifth in their World Cup qualifying group, making every match crucial if they hope to secure a spot in football’s biggest tournament.
Esin believes the team must find other reliable goal scorers to avoid a one-dimensional approach.
Etim, who once graced the world stage with the Super Eagles, emphasized the importance of other attackers stepping up, particularly in Osimhen’s absence.
Despite Nigeria boasting a host of strikers performing well for their clubs, many struggle to replicate that form on the international stage.
“Osimhen can only play his part. What happens if he gets injured? Does that mean we won’t score? It’s very worrying. A striker playing the number nine role must score consistently for his country—that’s the standard worldwide.
You can’t play four games for your country without scoring a goal; it doesn’t make sense..”
Struggles in Front of Goal
Esin singled out Victor Boniface as an example, pointing to the striker’s impressive performances in Germany compared to his underwhelming outings for Nigeria.
“Boniface, for instance, has been given numerous opportunities, but he still can’t score for Nigeria.
This is becoming a major concern. Does it mean Eguavoen cannot rely on any other striker? Or are we saying that if Osimhen doesn’t score, then Nigeria won’t score?
In any tournament, you must depend on your strikers to deliver. If we keep relying solely on Osimhen, it will get us nowhere?”
Drawing from his experience playing alongside legends like Rashidi Yekini, Samson Siasia, and Richard Owubokiri, Esin noted that these players consistently delivered for both club and country. “Boniface is prolific in Germany, but when it comes to Nigeria, he keeps missing chances.
We need to address this issue before AFCON 2025; otherwise, we will have a big problem,” the 58-year-old warned.
Concerns Ahead of AFCON and World Cup Qualifiers
Nigeria has already qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing top of their group with 11 points. However, their performances in the final two games against the Republic of Benin and Rwanda left much to be desired.
The three-time African champions must now turn their focus to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Esin’s comments highlight a pressing concern for the Super Eagles: finding a dependable goal-scoring alternative to Victor Osimhen.
As the team prepares for these crucial matches, the pressure is on to address their attacking issues and ensure they can compete at the highest level.
