2030, too far for Osimhen

I love my country, Nigeria. I love being called a Nigerian. Forget about all the seeming negatives about the Country. I will remain here and exit this world a happy man. But the few times I’ve had to do a little rethink was on how badly our soccer teams play in spite of the huge talents we parade seasonally. Then where is the problem with our soccer rooted? Simply. Every succeeding soccer federation seems worse than their predecessors and it is very unfortunate.

Ordinarily, we ought to have been talking about a talent that Nigeria would be unleashing to the world full blown after being exposed as a member of the Golden Eaglets at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which Nigeria won. The world would be standing still waiting for Victor Patrick Osimhen in the country’s green-white-green jersey with applause. It is important to note here that Osimhen won the competition’s Golden Boot award. He made his senior international debut in June 2017, and played at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 and 2023, reaching the final of the latter competition.

Indeed, on Wednesday, Osimhen scored a hat-trick in 19 minutes against revered Ajax FC in Amsterdam which earned Galatasaray a 3-0 victory, their third consecutive UEFA Champions League win this season. Galatasaray last recorded his feat during the 2012/2013 season. No prize for guessing right that the Nigerian was given the Man of the Match diadem, not for the first time this season.

With the feat on Wednesday, Osimhen became the Nigeria with the highest number of goals in European competitions with 25 goals, surpassing Obafemi Martins’ hitherto 22 goals record. On 29 May 2023, Osimhen was made a Member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the late President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

Osimhen said in a post-match comment on Wednesday night: “I’m also very happy about the goals, of course, but I’d like to thank my teammates again.

“We’re going to put it on top of that pace.’’

”We’ll continue to build on this momentum. I believe we’ll be very happy at the end of the Champions League campaign, and we’ll continue to work on that.”

Asked about the possibility of winning the Golden Boot, Osimhen said he believes it’s achievable with the help of his teammates.

“Of course, I think I have the quality to do so, but I do it with the support of my teammates. They love giving me the ball, just like they did today,” he said.

“It’s a team effort, and I believe that with my teammates and their support, such a possibility is definitely possible. I will fight for it.”

Osimhen is currently the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League this season with six goals. The 26-year-old scored his first UCL hat-trick as Galatasaray beat Ajax 3-0 on Wednesday night. Osimhen becomes the second Nigerian to score a UCL hat trick, and is currently Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in the competition.

Osimhen’s records are intimidating, making him the future world soccer if he keeps his form playing for both his European club and the country, in this case, Nigeria. But, the snag would be with playing for Nigeria at the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States (US).

Rather than rue the miss by direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Group C which Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Republic of Benin, Rwanda, South Africa and Nigeria, the NSC’s and NFF’s chieftains are celebrating the fickle synergy between them. Pity! What they don’t understand is that there won’t be any form of permutations beginning with the African zone’s playoff where the Super Eagles must win her two matches, first against high scoring Gabon on November 13, and the winner of the cracker between DR Congo and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to qualify for the Intercontinental playoffs in March 2026.

Already, the Confederation of Africa (CAF) officials have informed Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) machine would be used to adjudicate in controversial incidents during matches. Recall that the African continent didn’t use the VAR machines in all its 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

According to agency reports: ”The introduction of VAR for the playoffs could be a game-changer for Nigeria. It means that every single situation will be scrutinised.

”For example, if there was VAR, Calvin Bassey’s goal for Nigeria against South Africa in the return leg would have been cancelled for handball.

‘On the other hand, Nigeria have been on the receiving end of some terrible tackles in recent months. Case in point was the situation that got Osimhen injured against Rwanda in August. There could have been a red card in that situation, but the referee did not call it back.

‘’The Super Eagles will be hoping that the introduction of VAR favours them in Morocco.”

It would be a travesty if Osimhen watches the 2026 World Cup as a spectator and not one of the players of the competition playing for Nigeria.

The playoffs would be very tough laced with high wired politics, especially if some established countries fall back into the intercontinental zone of the playoffs. My heart freezes over the likelihood of Italy requiring the playoffs to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. That will be the day.

Sadly, Nigeria has fixed her resumption date for November 10 in Morocco with the Super Eagles Head Coach talking about the presence of new boys to strengthen his squad. He is the coach but many people are of the view that he ought to have known those he saw from previous camping periods to pick replacements from instead of inviting new kids who may not have visited the country. They consider these kind of players as luxuries, except Chelle is tacitly telling Nigerians that he is preparing for the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations holding in December in Morocco.

Chelle has a supporter in the team’s first team goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali who is already talking about Nigeria lifting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations diadem in Morocco in December. Call this part of the mind games for the 2026 World Cup ticket chase by Nwabali and Chelle, you could be right. After all it is good to aspire for greatness. But why do we like releasing our team lists after others have done theirs? Gabon released theirs on Thursday.

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Leading the Gabonese25-man team is captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who will spearhead the attack alongside Denis Bouanga, the in-form striker who has scored eight goals in the qualifiers. Midfield general Mario Lemina also makes the list, reinforcing Gabon’s spine with his leadership and tactical intelligence.

Aubameyang and Bouanga have formed a lethal partnership throughout the campaign, combining for 15 goals that have taken the Panthers to the brink of a maiden World Cup appearance.

Coach Mouyouma expressed confidence in his team’s readiness, highlighting the careful balance of experience and youthful enthusiasm in the squad.

“This is a defining moment for Gabonese football,” Mouyouma said. “Our players understand the magnitude of this opportunity, and we are going to Rabat with full determination to make history.”

Interestingly, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has formally lodged a complaint with FIFA over what it describes as “a clear conflict of interest” in the appointment of South African and Benin Republic officials to handle Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off against Gabon.

According to the appointment list signed by Gordon Savic, FIFA’s Head of Qualifiers & International Matches, South Africa’s Abongile Tom will officiate as the centre referee, assisted by compatriot Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela, who will serve as Assistant Referee 2.

Another South African, Akhona Zennith Makalima, has been named head of the two-person Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team.

The politics of the playoffs have begun with the choice of match officials. It remains to be seen if the NFF can stand on their feet to make sure there is always a level playing field in the playoffs.

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