Ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations opening game against Tanzania on Tuesday, Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has said Nigeria has enough quality players to fight for the continental title in Morocco.

However, the 26-year-old warned that the team must take the tournament one match at a time. He stressed that the road to the final is a long one, citing the other big teams Nigeria might face along the way.

“We have quality players to fight for the AFCON,” Osimhen told Peoples Gazette following the Super Eagles training session in Fes on Sunday. “We still have to play the round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final to reach the final, so we have to take it one game at a time.”

The Galatasaray player is expected to play a significant role should the team want to advance that far in the tournament, with the current Super Eagles lineup dubbed the ‘Osimhen’s team’ following recent trends that highlight a significant contrast in Nigeria’s performances when he is on the pitch compared to when he is absent.

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria did not win any of the five matches in which Osimhen was absent due to injury, which many Nigerian fans believed was the main reason the Super Eagles missed out on the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking further on the support he has been receiving from Galatasaray fans ahead of the tournament, Osimhen said they had been his support system since he arrived at the Turkish club.

“They have been one of my support systems. They have been amazing since I arrived at the club. Even when I’m playing for Nigeria, they support me all through,” the former Napoli player said. “Also, the club sends their well wishes when I travel to join the team ahead of the AFCON, so I am saying a big thank you to them.”