Former Tremendous Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, has urged Victor Osimhen to keep up his high kind as Nigeria intensifies its bid for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sports247 experiences.
Talking on his Obi One Podcast, the previous Chelsea midfielder emphasised the Napoli striker’s important function in Nigeria’s qualification journey forward of the CAF African playoffs in Morocco later this month.
“Osimhen was completely good! Sure, it was in opposition to Benin, however you continue to have to attain a hat-trick. It was our largest sport of the season,” Mikel stated. “If we didn’t win that sport, we wouldn’t even be speaking about attempting to qualify for the World Cup now.”
Mikel praised Osimhen’s management and dedication, describing him because the “large boy” within the workforce who at all times steps up when it issues most.
“Victor has singlehandedly saved us alive. When the stress is on, the massive gamers ship — and that’s precisely what he has achieved. However he nonetheless has to maintain exhibiting up,” he added.
Osimhen’s heroics got here on Matchday 10 of the qualifiers, the place he netted a shocking hat-trick in opposition to Benin Republic, lifting Nigeria to 17 factors, degree with the Cheetahs.
A late strike from Frank Onyeka sealed an important victory that moved the Tremendous Eagles forward of Uganda and Burkina Faso, inserting them among the many finest second-placed groups throughout the 9 qualifying teams.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s turbulent qualifying marketing campaign, Mikel counseled the workforce’s resilience amid ongoing Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) controversies.
“Our World Cup dream continues to be alive,” Mikel famous. “Earlier than the final two video games, I stated it — regardless of the problems with the FA or the negativity round, these matches have been must-wins, and the boys did that.”
The 2013 AFCON winner additionally underscored Osimhen’s significance to the workforce, mentioning the stark distinction in outcomes when the striker is absent.
“The variety of video games we’ve received with him in comparison with these with out him is unimaginable,” Mikel concluded, expressing confidence that Nigeria can attain the Intercontinental Playoffs if Osimhen continues to ship on large events.
Nigeria will face Gabon within the CAF Playoff semi-final on November 15 in Morocco. A victory will arrange a remaining showdown in opposition to the winner of Cameroon vs DR Congo, with the eventual champion incomes Africa’s ticket to the Intercontinental Playoff in Mexico subsequent March.
