'Names no longer win matches' - Osimhen urges Super Eagles teammates to be switched on for WCQs

Victor Osimhen has called on his Super Eagles teammates to be fully focused and committed as Nigeria prepares for their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 

The 26-year-old has emphasized the need for urgency, insisting that past achievements and talent alone will not guarantee success.

The three-time African champions has endured a disappointing start to the qualifying campaign, drawing three of their first four matches and sitting four points behind Group C leaders Rwanda. 

With a crucial fixture against the Wasps in Kigali on March 21, Osimhen has urged his teammates to learn from past mistakes.

"There’s a new manager now, and we are desperately looking forward to the game against Rwanda to try to correct all our previous mistakes and put ourselves in a better position to qualify,” Osimhen said in an interview with BBC Sports.

The Galatasaray striker missed Nigeria’s last two qualifiers due to injury but is expected to return for the must-win clash. 

Despite the team's struggles, Osimhen remains confident that the Super Eagles can turn things around under newly appointed head coach Eric Chelle. 

The Malian tactician took over in January, becoming the first non-Nigerian African to manage the national team.

Osimhen, who was part of the squad that failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, admitted that missing out on the tournament was a painful experience for both players and fans. 

He believes the team must earn their place at the 2026 edition by proving their quality on the pitch.

"People say we have a talented generation, but we can only confirm this talent when we play in a World Cup like those before us. 

"I was sad, like my teammates, to miss out on Qatar, and our fans didn’t even understand how much it affected us

"This is why we must correct the previous mistakes by giving everything to our country, our new coach and prove ourselves as being worthy,” he added.

With matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March, Nigeria must quickly regain their footing in Group C. 

Only the group winner is guaranteed automatic qualification for the World Cup, while the second-placed team may have to navigate a playoff route. 

Given the unpredictable nature of African qualifiers, Osimhen has warned against complacency, stressing that effort and commitment will be key.

"Names no longer win matches, and you must be ready and switched on for the duration of the games. We will be playing for our country, our family names and the hopes of almost 300 million people,” he stated.

The 2023 Serie A winner understands the pressure of leading the attack for Nigeria but insists that the team must embrace the challenge and deliver when it matters most.

"It is not the pressure that we face but the desire to not let ourselves and the country down. Playing at the World Cup is a priority, and we must make it happen this time around," Osimhen concluded.

With their qualification hopes hanging in the balance, the Super Eagles will need a statement performance against Rwanda and Zimbabwe to get back on track. 

Wale Adejumo

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