Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has publicly backed Victor Osimhen to be the next captain of the Nigerian national team, preferring him over teammate Wilfred Ndidi following William Troost-Ekong’s retirement.
Ighalo made his case amid ongoing discussions about the leadership role within the Super Eagles ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, suggesting that Osimhen’s personality and influence make him the ideal candidate to wear the armband.
While Ndidi has been viewed as a likely successor to Ekong due to his experience and calm leadership qualities, Ighalo explained that Osimhen’s outspoken nature and motivational presence set him apart as a leader on and off the pitch.
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“Ndidi’s very calm, but Osimhen is outspoken he speaks on behalf of the team and knows how to rally the boys,” Ighalo said, underlining the Napoli star’s ability to demand accountability and inspire his teammates. Ighalo also highlighted Osimhen’s current status as the team’s most prominent player, noting that his confidence and high-level performances give him added authority to lead the squad into the tournament.
The ultimate decision on the Super Eagles captaincy, however, lies with head coach Eric Chelle and the Nigeria Football Federation ahead of AFCON 2025.
Editorial
Leadership in football is as much a question of voice as it is of tenure a truth that has come to the fore in Nigeria’s leadership debate following the retirement of William Troost-Ekong. Odion Ighalo’s suggestion that Victor Osimhen should inherit the captain’s armband is more than a mouthpiece preference it is an argument for a new kind of authority within the Super Eagles’ fold.
Ighalo’s endorsement is not rooted in sentimentality or seniority. It is rooted in the belief that modern leadership demands presence both audible and symbolic in equal measure. Osimhen embodies that duality his elite club form in Italy and his unapologetic determination on the international stage make him the figure around whom Nigeria’s ambitions orbit.
Yet, there is merit in the comparison with Wilfred Ndidi. The Besiktas midfielder has long been a quiet fulcrum in Nigeria’s engine room steady, dependable and composed. His leadership, though unflashy, has underpinned much of the team’s recent stability.
But football thrives on narratives, and Osimhen’s story resonates with this generation of Eagles supporters the talisman who combines elite athleticism with the willingness to speak and act under pressure. Leadership, in this sense, is not merely a badge worn on the arm it is a conviction reflected in every sprint, every call to arms, every defiant gesture when the stakes rise.
The conversation now shifts from opinion to decision, as head coach Eric Chelle and the Nigeria Football Federation weigh the attributes that will best serve the team’s quest for glory in AFCON 2025. Regardless of the outcome, this moment has illuminated a broader truth that leadership in football is as much about character as it is about caps and that Victor Osimhen’s star, bright as it is, comes with the kind of voice a team needs in defining moments.
Did You Know?
- Wilfred Ndidi captained the Super Eagles in matches earlier this year, serving as vice-captain before Troost-Ekong’s retirement.
- Victor Osimhen was club top scorer for Napoli in the recent Serie A season, underlining his leadership through performance at the highest level.
- William Troost-Ekong led Nigeria for nearly a decade before retiring, making him one of the longest-serving captains in recent history.
- Super Eagles captains often act as intermediaries between players and the Nigeria Football Federation, especially on matters relating to team welfare a responsibility Ighalo referenced in his comments.
- Captaincy discussions have intensified ahead of AFCON 2025, following the team’s friendly fixtures and final squad announcements.
