AFCON 2025
Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has admitted that Victor Osimhen single-handedly kept Nigeria in the race to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Osimhen’s critical impact was on full display during the decisive final Group C qualifier, where he scored a hat-trick in a dominant 4-0 victory over Benin. That win was essential in securing Nigeria’s spot in the next round of qualification.
The influence of the Galatasaray forward on the team is undeniable. In the matches he missed, the Super Eagles struggled, registering four draws and one loss.
Speaking on his “Obi One” podcast, Mikel commended the player’s character and performance under pressure, highlighting his passion and aggressive style as vital to the team’s success.
“Credit to the boys… and of course, the main man we’ve talked about so many times on this podcast. Absolutely brilliant,” Mikel said.
He continued, addressing the recent fixture: “Yes, it was against Benin, people can say he scored a hat-trick, but you still have to score this hat-trick. You still have to show up. It was our biggest game of the season.”
Mikel stressed the gravity of the situation, noting that a loss would have ended Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup. “If we didn’t win that game, we wouldn’t be talking about trying to qualify for
