Adepoju Questions Osimhen's Leadership for Super Eagles

Former Super Eagles player Mutiu Adepoju has raised doubts about whether Victor Osimhen can lead Nigeria’s national team. He praised Osimhen’s great contributions to the Super Eagles but still questioned his leadership skills.

The talks about who should captain the Super Eagles have become more intense. This is because long-time leaders William Troost-Ekong and Ahmed Musa have retired from international football. Now, head coach Eric Chelle needs to name a new permanent captain for a team filled with experienced players.

Osimhen, who plays for Galatasaray, is one of the key players on the field and in the locker room. Many saw him as a top choice for captain. But Chelle chose Wilfred Ndidi as the captain instead. Osimhen and Moses Simon were made vice-captains.

Osimhen has led the team in matches against Uganda and Morocco during the AFCON when Ndidi was not available.

Adepoju believes being a leader is about more than just playing well. He explained, "Leadership requires more than talent. A captain must possess playing quality, leadership ability, emotional control, and the capacity to represent and unite the team both on and off the pitch. Anyone who cannot tolerate others or control their behaviour cannot effectively lead."

He pointed to a disagreement between Osimhen and Ademola Lookman during the 2025 AFCON as a sign that Osimhen needs to manage his emotions better. "Everyone may have their own perspective, but I did not approve of the way Victor Osimhen reacted. He should have controlled his emotions. The teammate involved, Ademola Lookman, had even provided him with two assists in that match. Situations like that should not escalate on the field, as both players could have been sent off. Disagreements should be settled in the dressing room," he said.

Adepoju, famous for scoring in Nigeria’s 3-2 victory over Spain at the 1998 World Cup, acknowledged Osimhen’s fighting spirit. But he also stressed the need for discipline. "He is a passionate and determined fighter on the pitch, always eager to score. However, beyond those qualities, he must remain calm and disciplined. Players are role models, and younger generations are watching," he added.

Despite these concerns about his leadership, Osimhen still has a big impact on the national team. Since his senior debut in June 2017, he has scored 35 goals in 46 matches, making him Nigeria’s second-highest goalscorer ever, just two goals behind Rashidi Yekini’s record of 37.

His international career includes a bronze medal at AFCON 2019, a runners-up finish at AFCON 2023, and a strong performance at AFCON 2025, where he scored four goals and made two assists. The 2023 African Footballer of The Year also finished eighth in that year’s Ballon d’Or rankings and received the Member of the Federal Republic award.