Nigeria’s dependence on Victor Osimhen has exposed a problem the Super Eagles must fix, according to former international Obafemi Martins, Footynaija reports.
Martins believes Nigeria need stronger competition for places in attack so the team can cope better when Osimhen is unavailable.
The Galatasaray striker missed five matches during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles failed to win any of those games.
Nigeria drew with Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa twice before suffering a surprise defeat by the Republic of Benin.
The team eventually reached the African play-offs but lost to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties. Osimhen was unable to take a penalty after being substituted at half-time with an injury. Akor Adams replaced him.
Martins says his generation had a different level of competition in attack. He had to compete with players such as Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Osaze Odemwingie and Julius Aghahowa.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Martins said: “You need someone that is going to compete with all the players, not just Osimhen.
“My own time, we had Yakubu there. If Yakubu starts the game, I’ll be on the bench waiting.
“I know if he’s out and I score, I’m going to start the next game. We’re always like that. We don’t hate each other because of that.”
Martins also defended Osimhen’s emotional style of play. He believes the striker’s passion should not be seen as a bad attitude.
“You cannot keep him quiet. I think that’s what is keeping him going as well because the way he behaves does not mean he has a stinking attitude. That’s how he can play, so the majority of people don’t understand that.
“Seeing him is a blessing in the national team as a Nigerian. We should try to make him happy and let him score more goals.”
Osimhen has scored 35 goals for Nigeria. He is now only two goals behind Rashidi Yekini’s record of 37 goals as the country’s all-time leading scorer.
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