Former Super Eagles winger Tijani Babangida has cautioned head coach Eric Chelle against building the national team too heavily around star striker Victor Osimhen as Nigeria prepares for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Speaking against the backdrop of Nigeria’s poor showing during the 2026 World Cup play-off loss to DR Congo, Babangida said the team’s performance after Osimhen was substituted at half-time exposed a worrying over-dependence on the Galatasaray forward.
“It is dangerous that it appears the Super Eagles are built around Victor Osimhen,” Babangida said. “The moment Osimhen was removed at the start of the second half against Congo, the team began to struggle. That is very bad.”
He noted that during his playing days, the Super Eagles were never structured around one man, insisting that Chelle must correct this flaw if Nigeria hopes to contend for the title in Morocco. According to him, a championship-winning side requires multiple match-winners—not a single focal point.
“The Super Eagles of my time were not built around one player,” he added. “Many people have observed that today’s team relies too much on Osimhen. This is a problem Eric Chelle must fix if the team wants to win the AFCON.”
Babangida said the coaching crew must instil a collective mentality across the squad, especially among attackers, so that any player selected can perform at the highest level without waiting for Osimhen to carry the team.
He acknowledged Osimhen’s importance but insisted that the national team must be mentally and tactically strong whether the striker is available or not.
“We need a fully fit Osimhen, but we also need players who believe that with or without him, the Super Eagles can win,” he said. “Morale should remain high. Injury is part of football. Osimhen’s absence in any game should not be the end of the world.”
Babangida stressed that Nigeria cannot afford a scenario where the team collapses if Osimhen is unavailable, warning that Chelle must build a more balanced and resilient side ahead of AFCON.
Nigeria will face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in Group C as they seek a fourth continental crown.