Frank Onyeka has described Victor Osimhen as being “on another level” and believes opposition defenders at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will be “scared” of the Nigeria striker.
Onyeka and Osimhen are part of a Super Eagles squad out to make amends for their defeat in the final of the 2023 Afcon by hosts Ivory Coast, a game which both players started.
Osimhen, 26, found the target just once during that tournament, but now sits second in Nigeria’s all-time goalscoring list with 31 goals in 45 appearances, behind only the legendary Rashidi Yekini.
“He’s such an amazing player,” Onyeka told BBC Sport Africa when asked whether his team-mate’s reputation as one of the world’s best strikers brings a psychological advantage even before kick-off.
“He’s a guy that wants to fight for every single ball. For me, I think the defenders are scared of him.
“Victor is on another level.”
The Super Eagles only took four points from a possible 15 when Osimhen was absent during their ultimately unsuccessful 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
And the team also appeared to lose their way in their World Cup play-off against DR Congo when the Galatasaray frontman was forced off at half-time.
“Missing Victor going into the second half, [it] changed a bit,” Onyeka admitted.
“Even one of the players from Congo said the same. When Victor left it gave the defenders a bit of rest and then they can relax a bit.”
‘Back to the drawing board’ for Nigeria after World Cup qualifying failure
While Onyeka has played an important role for Nigeria over the last few years, the midfielder has struggled to break into the starting line-up at Brentford.
He is yet to start a Premier League game this season under new manager Keith Andrews and spent the previous campaign on loan with Augsburg in the Bundesliga.
The 27-year-old says he worked on his mental preparation during his time in Germany, adopting mindfulness techniques.
“It’s good because if you’re stressed, you just try to be calm and relaxed as much as possible,” he revealed.
“I try to do that every day, but most times I do it before games, just to prepare myself.
“I do it in my room before I go to the stadium and after the first half I try to do a bit. I just focus on my breathing to make sure that I feel settled.”
While Onyeka played more minutes with Augsburg, he failed to find the target in 34 appearances in all competitions.
But his goals were key to Nigeria’s bid to reach next year’s World Cup, scoring in the 91st minute against Benin to take his team into the play-offs, before also netting in the defeat to DR Congo.
“I’ve been looking to get goals into my profile,” he said.
“In my time in Augsburg [it was] something that I discussed a lot. I always want to go forward, I want to score goals.
“It’s sad that we didn’t qualify for the next World Cup, with the talent that we have. It’s a motivation for us to go into Afcon and win it and bring it back home.”
Onyeka says he has also discussed goals with Nigeria coach Eric Chelle, the Malian who took over in January and revived the Super Eagles’ faltering bid to reach the World Cup.
“I think he came in and changed everything – the way we played, the way we’ve been set up, and his philosophy is just really good,” said Onyeka.
“He’s a loving coach. The way he speaks to the players, he makes fun of the players. It’s just different compared to what we had before.”
Chelle will, however, have to cope with the loss of both his captain, William Troost-Ekong, who announced his international retirement on the eve of the Nations Cup despite being named in the provisional squad, and another centre-back Benjamin Frederick.
The 20-year-old, who like Onyeka is on Brentford’s books, made a big impression after breaking into Nigeria’s starting line-up under Chelle, but will miss the tournament in Morocco after injuring his knee while on loan in Belgium.
“It’s a big blow for us because Benjamin has integrated himself into the (Nigeria) team and everybody loves him,” said Onyeka.
“He has done so well in the games that he has played. We expected him to be a very big part going into the tournament.
“And as a guy, as a player, he’s just outstanding. The way he reads the game defensively is just so strong.”
Perhaps surprisingly, Onyeka admits he did not pay much attention to previous Afcons when he was growing up.
But he is fully aware of what he describes as the “huge” impact the team’s performances have back home.
“Playing for Nigeria is a pressure, but we are used to it.
“If you see some comments every time we lose games, it’s annoying. But I understand them (the fans) because this is something that they love.
“Football is something that makes people happy, brings people together. Every time Nigeria is playing, everyone is interested.”
BBC
