Victor Osimhen: Key reason ex-Napoli man should be Super Eagles’ next captain

Victor Osimhen’s case to become the Super Eagles captain may have just received its strongest endorsement yet from Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, Afrik Foot reports.

The Galatasaray striker has long been seen as Nigeria’s most important player on the pitch, but questions around his temperament have often clouded discussions about whether he should inherit the armband full-time from Wilfred Ndidi.

Now, Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has offered a different perspective, one that’s not evident to the public eye.

Rather than focusing on Osimhen’s fiery edge, Okoye revealed what the former Napoli striker does behind the scenes, helping younger players settle and setting standards inside camp.

Team photo of Super Eagles. Copyright: ImagoxLuisxLoureirox

After former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju doubted Osimhen’s leadership skills following the row with Ademola Lookman in Morocco, Okoye has jumped to the defence of the Galatasaray striker.

What Maduka Okoye said about Victor Osimhen

Okoye spoke with praise about Osimhen’s influence, both on and off the pitch, describing him as one of the most important personalities in the Nigerian national team.

“I talk to him every now and then. The shirt he gave me was from after a game at home, we played a 1-1 draw on the pitch at Udinese.

“He’s so good on the pitch that I don’t want to talk about it. We all know about the energy he brings to the pitch, no one else does that.

“Afterwards, for the national team, he always helps a lot, especially with the young guys. He really is a special player.”

Nigeria and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye. Copyright: xAndrzejxIwanczukx IMAGO

For a goalkeeper like Okoye, who has shared dressing rooms with Osimhen for years, to highlight the dressing room impact of the former LOSC Lille striker, it shows the leadership skills he possesses away from the cameras on the pitch.

Super Eagles captainship: Why Osimhen should be next in line

The strongest argument for Osimhen becoming captain is not just his goals, but his influence.

With 35 goals in 46 appearances for Nigeria, the 27-year-old is already on the verge of overtaking the legendary Rashidi Yekini as the Super Eagles’ all-time leading scorer, but leadership is more than numbers.

Osimhen embodies the aggression, sacrifice and emotional investment that have always defined Nigeria’s best teams. From Sunday Oliseh to Vincent Enyeama, the fiery character has always been on display when needed.

Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen for the Super Eagles. Photo by IMAGO

Osimhen presses harder than anyone, demands more from teammates, and never hides when the pressure is highest.

Critics point to his emotional outbursts, including tensions with Ademola Lookman during AFCON, as proof that he is not ready, but those same traits can also be signs of a player deeply invested in winning.

Former Super Eagles captain, Jay-Jay Okocha, during the AFCON, revealed that rifts like that are what he loves to see, admitting it shows hunger from both players.

“These things happen, and I love to see that sometimes in a team. It shows that they want to win. They’re not just there to play and go home,” the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder said on the Clutch 9 Podcast.

“They want to achieve something. If players are criticising each other, are upset for not getting the right service, or a teammate not doing the right thing.

“Osimhen went over the board. I have to clear that out as well, but it’s good to see players that are passionate but also understand that you’re not bigger than your teammate.

Austin Okocha. Copyright: IMAGO

According to Okoye, inside the dressing room, Osimhen is already doing what captains are expected to do – guiding, protecting and lifting others.

If Galatasaray follow through with plans to hand him the armband next season, it would only accelerate what already feels inevitable.

Wilfred Ndidi remains the present captain of the National team, but Victor Osimhen looks like the future.