Osimhen 'on another level' and scares defenders, says Onyeka

Victor Osimhen is "on another level" according to Nigeria team-mate Frank Onyeka, and believes their opponents at the Africa Cup of Nations will struggle against him.

Nigeria suffered a 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast in the 2023 final, though Osimhen hit the back of the net just once during that tournament en route to the showpiece.

The Galatasaray striker is now the Super Eagles' second-highest goalscorer in the country's history, with 31 goals in 45 appearances, and only needs six more to level Rashidi Yekini's tally of 37.

He has netted eight of those goals in seven appearances in 2025, his most prolific calendar year with Nigeria.

And Onyeka said his involvement could not be underestimated, as he believes it brings Nigeria a psychological advantage.

"He's such an amazing player," Onyeka told BBC Sport Africa.

"He's a guy that wants to fight for every single ball. For me I think the defenders are scared of him.

"Victor is on another level."

Nigeria are given a 7% chance of winning AFCON this year by the Opta supercomputer, but are fifth favourite behind Morocco (19%), Egypt, Senegal and Algeria (all 12%).

In 10 AFCON participations this century, Nigeria have finished third five times, been runners-up twice and lifted the trophy once, though they have missed several editions of the tournament in recent years.

However, they have struggled in recent times, gaining just four points out of 15 without Osimhen during the 2026 World Cup qualifying.

In the play-off match for the tournament, they then lost 2-1 to DR Congo when the 26-year-old was forced off at half-time.

"Missing Victor going into the second half, [it] changed a bit," Onyeka conceded about that match.

"Even one of the players from Congo said the same. When Victor left, it gave the defenders a bit of rest, and then they can relax a bit."

Nigeria begin their AFCON campaign against Tanzania on December 23.