Former Nigerian international Sam Sodje has urged the Super Eagles to avoid over-relying on Victor Osimhen for goals, emphasizing shared responsibility for success at AFCON 2025.
Sodje explained that while Osimhen is enjoying excellent form at Galatasaray, Nigeria must ensure other players contribute to scoring to remain unpredictable and tactically flexible.
“Victor Osimhen is in great form, but football is a team sport. The Eagles cannot depend solely on him for goals in AFCON 2025,” he said.
He stressed that giving opportunities to other attackers ensures a balanced offense and prevents opponents from neutralizing the team’s main scoring threat during the tournament.
“Players like Taiwo Awoniyi, Chukwueze, and Moses Simon should share the goalscoring burden, creating multiple attacking options for the Nigerian team,” Sodje advised.
Sodje warned that over-dependence on one striker could become a tactical weakness, as opposing teams would focus their defensive strategies on stopping Osimhen.
“Distributing goals among several players reduces pressure on Osimhen, allowing him to perform freely while the team remains offensively potent,” he added.
The Super Eagles will begin preparations in Egypt, facing the Pharaohs in a friendly on December 16 before traveling to Morocco for AFCON 2025.
Nigeria is in Group C with Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. They open their campaign against Tanzania on December 23 in Fes, with critical points at stake.
Sodje emphasized that national team selection should reward club form, giving in-form players confidence and opportunities to contribute alongside Osimhen in the tournament.
“Players showing consistent performances at their clubs deserve chances at AFCON 2025. This ensures the team has multiple attacking threats beyond Osimhen,” he explained.
He added that a shared attacking approach strengthens team morale, cohesion, and resilience, especially in matches where opponents employ tight defensive setups.
“AFCON 2025 matches can be tight and competitive. Having multiple players capable of scoring ensures the Eagles remain unpredictable and difficult to defend against,” Sodje said.
Sodje recommended that the coaching staff, led by Eric Chelle, use the friendly against Egypt to test formations and combinations without relying solely on Osimhen.
“This game is ideal for experimenting with rotations and partnerships. It will show which players can complement Osimhen and handle goalscoring responsibilities,” he noted.
The Eagles’ success in AFCON 2025 depends on tactical balance, versatility, and shared offensive duties, avoiding pitfalls associated with one-man reliance for goals.
Sodje reminded fans that while Osimhen is crucial, the team’s true strength lies in distributing goals across multiple players to maximize effectiveness.
He concluded that collective responsibility in attack allows Nigeria to exploit different goal-scoring avenues while fully utilizing Osimhen’s strengths.
Preparation in Egypt, tactical drills, and team coordination will be vital as the Eagles aim for consistent performances in Group C matches and knockout rounds.
The ability to rotate attackers and maintain scoring potency will be key to navigating knockout stages, where opponents often employ stricter defensive tactics.
Sodje’s advice underlines the importance of balance, shared responsibility, and strategic use of Osimhen alongside other goal threats for AFCON 2025 success.
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