Super Eagles’ Victor Osimhen Fought Through Injury at AFCON, Coach Reveals Midfield Struggles

Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, boss Eric Chelle has confirmed that captain Victor Osimhen battled a hamstring injury throughout the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, yet still managed to deliver key performances for the team.

Chelle explained that managing Osimhen’s fitness was critical due to the demanding schedule and travel between host cities, which left several players fatigued in key matches, including the semi-final loss to Morocco.

While Osimhen scored four goals and provided two assists in the tournament, the coach admitted that Raphael Onyedika struggled in midfield when filling in for Wilfred Ndidi, as his playing style didn’t fully match the more defensive, ball-winning role.

Chelle also highlighted the challenges the squad faced with quick game turnarounds and limited recovery time, factors that affected overall performance in crucial matches.

Despite falling short of the AFCON trophy, the Super Eagles secured third place after a penalty shootout win against Egypt following a goalless draw.