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Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo has backed Victor Osimhen to become captain of the team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Recall that William Troost-Ekong, who was Super Eagles captain, recently announced his retirement from international football.

However, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been widely tipped to take up the captaincy role vacated by Troost-Ekong.

But Ighalo believes Osimhen is the right player to become captain of the Super Eagles because Eric Chelle’s men will listen to him.

“There are several players ahead of Osimhen (as senior players), but now Osimhen is doing well and he has the balls to demand what the team wants,” Ighalo said in an speaking to former Super Eagles media officer Colin Udoh.

“Ndidi is not the talking type, he is a very calm guy, but Osimhen is outspoken, he is going to speak on behalf of the team, he is going to ginger the boys, he’s going to fight for the boys, he will speak to any body he needs to speak to to make sure they are okay.

“The captain job is not easy because your neck in on the line, because whatever the boys demand it’s you that will put it forward to the NFF.

“And if NFF want to come for anybody, they are coming for you because you are the captain.

“With Osimhen, he will speak and nothing can happen because he’s the biggest player in the team, so they won’t want to look down on him, they will listen to him because he’s doing well.”

AFCON 2025: Ighalo names player that should become new Super Eagles captain

The line-up for the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, is now confirmed.

This followed the conclusion of matches in Group E and Group F on Wednesday.

The knockouts will kick off on Saturday, January 3 with Senegal taking on Sudan and Mali playing Tunisia.

On Sunday, hosts Morocco clash with Tanzania, while South Africa face Cameroon.

Nigeria will take on Mozambique on Monday and Egypt play Benin Republic.

The Round of 16 fixtures will end with Ivory Coast facing Burkina Faso and Algeria squaring up against DR Congo next Tuesday.

AFCON ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES

Mali vs Tunisia
Senegal vs Sudan
Egypt vs Benin
Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso
South Africa vs Cameroon
Morocco vs Tanzania
Algeria vs Congo DR
Nigeria vs Mozambique

AFCON 2025: All Round of 16 fixtures confirmed [Full List]

Chelsea captain, Reece James, has claimed they don’t have an idea what the club is doing to replace Enzo Maresca.

The Blues are expected to appoint a replacement for Maresca before their midweek Premier League clash with Fulham.

Strasbourg’s Liam Rosenior has reportedly arrived in the UK to finalize an agreement with the Stamford Bridge club.

Chelsea’s U-21 coach, Calum MacFarlane, took charge of the dramatic 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.

Speaking after the game, James said: “We know nothing at the moment. This whole week was about this game.

“What happens behind the scenes is not down to us. We focused on the game. We will see what happens in the coming days.”

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