Victor Osimhen said preparation and collective belief were key after Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Algeria sent the Super Eagles into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON).
Osimhen was named most valuable player after scoring one goal and creating another as Nigeria dominated the quarter-final, with second-half goals sealing a record 16th AFCON semi-final appearance more than any other nation in the competition’s history.
“We prepared well for this game and I’m so happy about the team performance,” Osimhen said. “We were playing against a very big country with a good footballing history and a lot of quality players. Against this kind of team, we had to bring our aerial game, and I’m happy with how the team performed.”
Osimhen. Photo Credit: Imago
Nigeria took control after the break and were rewarded when Osimhen rose highest to meet Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross from the left, heading home to take his international tally to 35 goals.
The striker later turned provider, breaking clear from an Alex Iwobi pass before squaring for Akor Adams, who rounded the goalkeeper and finished from close range to double Nigeria’s advantage.
“From the start to the very end, we gave everything, we just had to win.”
Osimhen has scored 4 goals with 2 assists.Photo Credit/CAF
The result maintains Nigeria’s perfect scoring run at the tournament, making the Super Eagles only the second nation after Egypt in 1974 and 2010 to score at least two goals in each of their first five AFCON matches.
Attention now turns to a semi-final against hosts Morocco, to be played on Wednesday, 14 January, at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium.
“Of course, we are playing against the hosts and we know how they are,” Osimhen said. “They have a lot of quality players and they’ll have a massive crowd behind them. But we’re not the kind of team that is afraid of any opponent. We will give our everything and try to win.”
Akor and Osimhen. Photo Credit/
Despite moving to within two goals of equalling Rashidi Yekini’s long-standing Nigeria scoring record, Osimhen insisted personal milestones are not his focus.
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“Not at all,” he said when asked about the record. “It doesn’t matter if I equal it or surpass it. Yekini is the best striker Nigeria has ever produced. I just want to win something for my country, and I’m happy that with my team-mates, I’m on that path.”
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Asked about lifting the trophy, the 26-year-old struck a cautious note. “We still have two more finals to play, we’ll take it one game at a time.”
