Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi reveals the three-time African champions will miss the presence of Victor Osimhen at the 2026 FIFA world cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic; npflupdates.com reports.
Osimhen will not be available for selection on Friday when the Super Eagles will play South Africa due to an injury that will keep him out of action for at least four weeks.
Also read: Finidi Remains Super Eagles Coach, Will Lead Us To Until 2026 World Cup – NFF
Speaking to PUNCH Nigeria, Ndidi who recently won the EFL Championship with Leicester City, agreed that Osimhen’s services will be missed.
He was however, upbeat that the strikers available for selection can execute the qualifier against South Africa in Uyo; and Benin Republic in Ivory Coast.
What Ndidi said about Victor Osimhen ahead of 2026 world cup qualifier
“Victor is a great footballer, I call him hustler, he’s like a street footballer, and he is always hustling. As a defender you never relax when you are playing against Victor. So, I think it’s going to impact the team because he drives the team forward,” he said.
“We have so many strikers, who with their own styles can also bring different dynamics to the team, so, I just feel like we’ll miss him but this isn’t the time to start thinking, this is the time to act and try to win the games. I wish him swift recovery and when he comes back, he‘ll always be part of the team.”
Speaking further, the former Dream Team (Nigeria U-23) midfielder, admitted that the Super Eagles are under pressure to beat their opponents.
“If we are honest to ourselves, I think the team is under pressure (to win). We drew both games, they were difficult games. If we had won both games, it would have been much better going to these ones,” Ndidi said.
“All the same its football and I think the pressure that comes with this one is actually exciting because we know what we have to do, we know we have to try and win. So, I think we just need to stay focused and do our best and then try to win the games.”
Also read: Tella In, Osimhen, Chukwueze, Ndidi Out Of Super Eagles W’Cup Qualifiers
Speaking about the possibility of either Victor Boniface and Ademola Lookman scooping the CAF Player Of The Year POTY award for 2024 Ndidi said;
“To be honest, anyone of them that wins it is fine. They’ve both done very well for their teams and in all honesty Ademola stands a chance to winning it, hopefully. I just think he stands a better chance.”
