Super Eagles assistant captain Victor Osimhen has acknowledged that hosts Morocco will enjoy a significant advantage when both sides clash in Wednesday night’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final, but insists Nigeria remain strong contenders for a place in the final.
Osimhen, who is expected to lead the Super Eagles in the absence of suspended captain Wilfred Ndidi, made the remarks ahead of the high-stakes encounter, citing the intimidating support expected from Moroccan fans at the stadium.
Despite conceding home advantage to the Atlas Lions, the Galatasaray striker expressed confidence in Nigeria’s quality and mental strength, describing the Super Eagles as one of the most formidable teams in the tournament.
“They have a very good squad, talented players, but I think we are one of the most feared teams in this tournament,” Osimhen told CBS Sports Golazo in an interview shared on X on Tuesday.
He added that the Nigerian camp remains calm and focused, stressing that the players are concentrating on their own performance rather than the opposition.
“Considering the kind of talents we have in the squad, I think there is no pressure in the camp. We don’t even talk about the Morocco team; we just take one game as it comes,” he said.
Osimhen noted that Nigeria’s recent victory over Algeria had significantly boosted the team’s confidence and reinforced belief within the squad.
“We just played a very big nation, Algeria, and we displayed something the whole world could see — that these guys are really up for the trophy,” he added.
However, the former Napoli forward admitted that Morocco’s home support could influence the contest.
“Of course, it’s not going to be easy because the Moroccans will be playing in their thousands in front of their crowd, which is an advantage for them,” he said.
Osimhen was quick to play down any fears of intimidation, noting that many Super Eagles players are accustomed to performing in high-pressure environments.
“Many of us have played in stadiums with 80,000 or 90,000 capacity. For me, personally, there is absolutely no pressure,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s determination to give everything on the night.
“I just focus on my team, and when match day comes, we give everything and hope for the win. It’s not going to be easy, but I think we’ve got a chance.”
