Victor Osimhen has cemented his place as Nigeria’s second-highest goal scorer of all time, with an impressive tally of 23 goals in 39 appearances for the Super Eagles.
However, former Nigerian international Etim Esin has called for the national team to bolster their attacking options ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
While Osimhen remains the team’s star player, Esin warns that an over-reliance on the Napoli forward could jeopardize Nigeria’s chances of claiming continental glory.
Despite Osimhen’s remarkable consistency, other Super Eagles forward have struggled to replicate their club-level performances on the international stage. Players like Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi, ans South-Hampton’s Paul Onuachu have failed to make a significant impact in national colours.
Boniface for instance, was instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga triumph last season but has yet to score in 11 appearances for Nigeria. Similarly, Awoniyi has only two goals in 10 caps, while Onuachu has managed just three in 24 appearances.
Speaking to Complete Sports, Esin emphasized the dangers of relying too heavily on a single player. “In any tournament, you must depend on your strikers to deliver. If we keep relying solely on Osimhen, it will get us nowhere,” he said.
“What happens if he gets injured? Does that mean we won’t score? It’s very worrying. A striker playing the number nine role must score consistently for his country—that’s the standard worldwide. You can’t play four games for your country without scoring a goal; it doesn’t make sense.”
Esin also criticized the inability of other strikers to step up, particularly highlighting Boniface’s struggles. “Boniface, for instance, has been given numerous opportunities, but he still can’t score for Nigeria. This is becoming a major concern.
“Does it mean Eguavoen cannot rely on any other striker? Or are we saying that if Osimhen doesn’t score, then Nigeria won’t score?”
He urged the Super Eagles’ management to address the lack of firepower upfront and ensure that the team is not overly dependent on one player as they prepare for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
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