AFCON 2025: Trouble For Super Eagles As Victor Osimhen’s Biggest Weakness Exposed

Former Super Eagles player Celestine Babayaro has highlighted some areas for improvement in Victor Osimhen’s game ahead of Nigeria’s important Group C match against Tunisia at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The Super Eagles are set to face the Carthage Eagles on Saturday, December 27, with the match scheduled to kick off at 9 PM Nigerian time.

In Nigeria’s recent 2-1 win over Tanzania, Osimhen was unable to score, despite several opportunities, with Hull City defender Semi Ajayi and Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman contributing the goals for the team.

Though Osimhen created chances in the first half, he struggled with finishing, and one of his attempts was disallowed for offside after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.

Babayaro has specifically pointed out that Osimhen has been inconsistent in timing his runs during matches, suggesting this has affected his performance.

According to OwnGoal, the former Newcastle star explained that Osimhen is most times not aware of where his markers are.

The 47-year-old said the former Napoli forward makes his run before his teammates release the ball. Babayaro said:

”Strikers have to time their runs and get them right. Victor Osimhen moves a bit too early during matches and most times not even aware of where his marker is. Osimhen tends to run without checking which is why he is constantly flagged offside.

“In the game of football, it is normal for forwards to be caught offside, but when it is becoming too much like that of our striker Victor Osimhen, then you have to look at the timing of his runs, which is something he needs to improve on to be a top striker.”

The former Anderlecht star recalled that Victor Osimhen had three goals ruled out for offside and his only goal was in the first match against Equatorial Guinea. Babayaro said:

“At the last edition of the AFCON in Ivory Coast, Osimhen had three goals ruled out for offside. This is because of the poor nature of his runs that makes him to stray offside most times.”