Victor Osimhen Requires Focus and Dedication from Tremendous Eagles Forward of World Cup Qualifiers

Victor Osimhen has urged his Tremendous Eagles teammates to remain centered and absolutely dedicated as Nigeria prepares for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The 26-year-old ahead confused the significance of urgency, warning that previous successes and expertise alone gained’t assure success within the qualification marketing campaign.

The three-time African champions have had a tricky begin to the qualifiers, drawing three of their first 4 matches and sitting 4 factors behind Group C leaders, Rwanda.

With an important match towards Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, Osimhen has referred to as on his teammates to be taught from previous errors.

“There’s a brand new supervisor now, and we’re all trying ahead to the sport towards Rwanda to right our earlier errors and put ourselves in a greater place to qualify,” Osimhen stated in an interview with BBC Sport.

The Galatasaray striker missed Nigeria’s final two qualifiers on account of damage however is predicted to return for the vital sport.

Regardless of the staff’s struggles, Osimhen stays assured that the Tremendous Eagles can flip issues round underneath their new coach, Eric Chelle. The Malian coach took over in January, changing into the primary non-Nigerian African to handle the nationwide staff.

Osimhen, who was a part of the squad that missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, admitted that the frustration was laborious for each gamers and followers. He believes the staff should show their price on the pitch to earn their place on the 2026 World Cup.

“Folks say now we have a proficient era, however we are able to solely present that expertise once we play in a World Cup like these earlier than us,” Osimhen stated. “I used to be unhappy, like my teammates, to overlook out on Qatar, and our followers didn’t perceive how a lot it affected us.”

“This is the reason we should right the earlier errors by giving every part to our nation, our new coach, and show ourselves,” he added.

With upcoming matches towards Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March, Nigeria must rapidly discover their type in Group C. The group winner will safe computerized qualification for the World Cup, whereas the second-place staff could must undergo a playoff.

Given the unpredictable nature of African qualifiers, Osimhen warned towards complacency and highlighted the significance of effort and dedication.

“Names now not win matches. You should be prepared and centered for all the sport. We will probably be enjoying for our nation, our households, and the hopes of virtually 300 million individuals,” he stated.

The 2023 Serie A winner understands the stress of main Nigeria’s assault however insists the staff should embrace the problem and ship when it issues most.

“It’s not in regards to the stress however the want to not let ourselves and our nation down. Taking part in within the World Cup is a precedence, and we should make it occur this time,” Osimhen concluded.

With their qualification hopes in danger, the Tremendous Eagles want robust performances towards Rwanda and Zimbabwe to get again on observe.