Victor Osimhen will wear the armband for Nigeria when the Super Eagles face hosts Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), stepping in for suspended skipper Wilfred Ndidi.
Ndidi will miss the high-stakes clash after picking up two yellow cards in the tournament. The Super Eagles captain was first cautioned during Nigeria’s Round of 16 win over Mozambique and later booked again in the quarter-final win against Tunisia, ruling him out through card accumulation.
Osimhen, who was named Nigeria’s vice-captain on the eve of the tournament, is no stranger to the responsibility. The striker previously captained the Super Eagles in their final group game against Uganda and will now lead the side in one of the biggest matches of their campaign.
Nigeria arrived at the semi-final full of confidence after a commanding 2-0 win over Algeria, a match in which Osimhen both scored and provided an assist.
“Nigeria are under pressure because they didn’t qualify for the World Cup, which most of us were happy about because they are our arch-enemies,” Lepasa said on SABC News.
“They want to prove a point that they are still the best even if they didn’t qualify.
Nigeria’s failure to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup had placed the team under intense scrutiny before the tournament, but their performances in Morocco have shifted the narrative. With fourteen goals scored, the Super Eagles have been the most potent attacking side at the competition.
Lepasa acknowledged Morocco’s impressive run on home soil but questioned whether the hosts have truly been tested.
“They are at home and have been doing well, but they’ve also had a few VAR decisions go their way.
“When they have to face Nigeria, my question is: who is going to stop Lookman and Osimhen if you check their defence?”
“If you rely on one player compared to Nigeria, that’s the difference,” Lepasa added.
“Nigeria have Osimhen on four goals, Lookman on three, and other players chipping in as well. I don’t see them getting past Nigeria that easily.”
