Osimhen Relishes Maiden Captaincy As Super Eagles Defeat Uganda, Downplays Yekini Record Chase

According to Ireporter Online, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has described his first competitive outing as Nigeria’s captain as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, following the team’s convincing 3-1 victory over Uganda at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Osimhen was handed the captain’s armband for the Group C encounter after head coach Éric Chelle opted to rest regular skipper Wilfred Ndidi. Recently appointed as vice-captain ahead of the tournament, the 27-year-old forward led by example as Nigeria comfortably subdued the Cranes to maintain their positive momentum in the competition.

The match marked a defining moment in Osimhen’s international career, further underlining his growing influence within the national team. Speaking after the game, the Galatasaray striker expressed pride at leading the Super Eagles, noting that captaining the three-time African champions was a moment he had imagined since childhood.

Nigeria’s performance under Osimhen’s leadership was widely praised, with the team displaying composure and authority throughout the contest. His work rate, discipline, and on-field direction earned admiration from supporters and teammates, reinforcing his status as one of the team’s key figures.

Attention has also been drawn to Osimhen’s impressive goal-scoring record for Nigeria. With 32 international goals to his name, he is edging closer to the iconic mark set by the late Rashidi Yekini, who remains the country’s all-time leading scorer with 37 goals.

However, Osimhen played down discussions about breaking records, stressing that his priority remains collective success rather than individual milestones. He emphasized that the captaincy has strengthened his sense of responsibility to the team, adding that his focus is on contributing goals and assists to help Nigeria progress further in the tournament.

While acknowledging that surpassing Yekini’s record may happen someday, Osimhen made it clear that personal achievements are secondary to the Super Eagles’ ambition of continental glory.