Former Super Eagles striker Jude Odion Ighalo has thrown his weight behind Victor Osimhen as the ideal candidate to captain Nigeria ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, following the retirement of William Troost-Ekong from international football.

Troost-Ekong’s decision to step aside, despite being named in the provisional squad weeks before the tournament, has left a leadership vacuum in the national team and sparked debate over who should wear the armband.

With several senior players in the squad, including Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and Chidozie Awaziem, many observers have tipped Ndidi as a likely successor.

However, speaking in an interview with veteran football journalist Colin Udoh, Ighalo explained why he believes Osimhen stands out, stressing that his choice has nothing to do with age or seniority.

He noted that there are players older than Osimhen in the team, but leadership, in his view, goes beyond years of service.

“Victor, I will give you my reason why, not because he is the oldest player in the team, because there are people ahead of him. Simon is older, Ndidi, Iwobi, I think Awaziem, so there are people ahead of him,” he said.  

Ighalo described Osimhen as outspoken, fearless and capable of demanding accountability both on and off the pitch—qualities he believes are essential for the demanding role of Super Eagles captain.

According to the former Manchester United striker, Ndidi is naturally calm and reserved, while Osimhen has the personality to speak up for teammates, motivate the squad and confront difficult situations when necessary.

“Because now Osimhen is doing well and he is in his time, he has the balls to demand. Ndidi is not the talking type. Ndidi is a very calm down but Osimhen is outspoken, he is going to speak on behalf of the team,” he explained.  

“He is going to ginger the boys, you see in the games sometimes he will say common, sometimes you see him talking loud, he is going to fight for the boys, he is going to speak to anybody he needs to speak to, to make sure they are okay.”

Ighalo highlighted the demanding nature of the captain’s role, explaining that the skipper serves as the bridge between the players and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), tasked with presenting teammates’ concerns and bearing the responsibility whenever disagreements or tensions arise.

“This captain job is not easy because your neck is on the line because whatever the boys demand it is you that would put it to the NFF. And if NFF want to come they are coming for you because you are the captain and the one that said it to the press or in public.”

He added that Osimhen’s current status as one of the biggest stars in the team gives him added authority, noting that his performances command respect from both teammates and administrators.

Ighalo argued that players who are performing at the highest level naturally earn the right to demand better standards, and Osimhen is firmly in that position.

“With him, I believe he is going to speak and nothing can happen because he is one of the biggest, if not the biggest player in that team. So, they won’t want to look down on him, or talk down on him, they will listen to him.

 “Because, he is doing well, when you are doing well you have every power, control, to demand for stuff, omething and he is in that position not because he is the oldest in the team or better than others but I believe he has that character to speak and demand things and ginger the players, and can shout.”

Beyond his words, Ighalo highlighted the striker’s work ethic and intensity on the pitch, saying his relentless running, fighting spirit and visible commitment would inspire teammates to raise their own levels.

“Even at his age, he can advice the team and talk to them because when you see somebody like him, hustling, running, and fighting, you as a player you want to work hard because he is not just talking from mouth he is showing it in the pitch, so you will listen and do too,” he concluded.

The Super Eagles are drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania, as they target a fourth AFCON title in a bid to make amends for missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Adeyemi Adewale