Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has hailed Victor Osimhen as ‘the best striker in the world’ after the Galatasaray forward returned to the Nigeria squad ahead of their decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic, Footynaija.com reports.
Osimhen had missed Nigeria’s clash against South Africa after suffering a chin injury in the 1–0 win over Rwanda in Uyo last month.
The 26-year-old also sat out three games for Galatasaray but made a full recovery to feature in their recent 1–0 victory over Liverpool. He netted the only goal that seal a memorable win for the Turkish champions, a performance that confirmed his readiness for international duty.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Chelle, who has been under presure of late, praised the forward’s influence and professionalism.
“For us, Victor is the best striker for me in the world. But we have lots of strikers in this team — we have lots of players who can make the difference at any moment,” the Malian tactician said.
Chelle, however, stressed the importance of team focus and adaptability as Nigeria chase qualification.
“Sometimes you have some players, sometimes you don’t have some players, but you need to stay focused on the players who are ready now.”
Nigeria sit third in Group C with 11 points, three behind leaders Benin and second-placed South Africa, needing back-to-back wins to keep their 2026 World Cup hopes alive.
Super Eagles boss Chelle issues Victor Osimhen statement before Lesotho and Benin clashes
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