Akor Adams has openly acknowledged Victor Osimhen’s importance to the Super Eagles, admitting that his striking rival remains the undisputed main man in Nigeria's national team despite competition for places up front.

Adams will be hoping to make his Africa Cup of Nations debut on Tuesday evening when the Super Eagles face Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in their Group C opener in Fez.

If manager Eric Chelle opts to play with a lone striker against Tanzania, Adams is unlikely to start, with Victor Osimhen ahead of him in the pecking order.

The Sevilla forward is also competing with Trabzonspor’s in-form forward Paul Onuachu, Panathinaikos’ Cyriel Dessers, and Istr'’s Salim Fago Lawal for a place in attack should Chelle deploy his preferred 4-4-2 formation.

Speaking to Elegbete TV Sports before the start of Monday's workout, Adams stated: "We are all professionals and we try to be as competitive as possible. Competition is healthy and for me it's not a problem.

"We all get our chances and we just have to take them when it comes. Like the coach said in the press conference earlier, the biggest opponent is us and we’re completely focused on what we can do, and that is what we are focused on right now."

Adams highlighted Osimhen's importance to the team, pointing out that the Galatasaray striker, even with only two goals in Afcon qualifying, remains central to the Super Eagles.

"It’s obvious the best players from Nigeria were selected to go for the tournament. Victor is the man for us and we all know that, it is obvious.

"Everyone puts in their own shift to see what happens. It takes the goalkeeper to save the goal, it takes the defender to defend the goal, so it's teamwork. And then Victor will give the goals, and I will give the goals, and we win."

Looking ahead to the Super Eagles' Group C fixtures against Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia, Adams emphasised the need to remain focused.

"Every opponent is tough because they come to win as well, as well as we do. We are completely focused on ourselves and we try to get as many points as possible, go through the group as much as possible, and we’ll see what happens.

"That’s why we are here: to go as far as possible. I’m grateful to God, thankful to the coach for the trust."

On the issue of internal competition, Adams added: "Personally, competition is healthy, that's how I see it. They make me better, I think I make them better as well, so if I get the chance I'll play. I know the coach knows my ability.

"He knows every player’s ability. If I can pair, if I can play alone, if I play with Victor it’s all the same for me. The most important thing is seven games to get something out of this tournament, so that's what we are focused on. We are different kinds of players, but it is something I can learn from him."

Since making his debut in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, Adams has two goals in four outings for the three-time African champions.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel