Victor Osimhen, the prominent Galatasaray striker, has issued a stern warning to other African teams in Group C, asserting that Nigeria's Super Eagles will not underestimate any opponent in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. Osimhen is set to lead Nigeria's attack for the second consecutive AFCON tournament, following their journey to the final in the 2023 edition, where they ultimately lost to host nation Ivory Coast.

Nigeria's AFCON 2025 campaign is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, December 22, against Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif De Fes, after the team regrouped in Morocco for the tournament. Ahead of this crucial opener, Osimhen cautioned against any complacency, despite the Super Eagles being considered favorites. "We're going to war, and Tuesday is the first one. We will give everything, and we're not underrating anyone," Osimhen stated in an interview with SportyTV. He added, "There are many favourites in this competition, and we're going to give our all to realise our dream of winning the AFCON."

The Super Eagles' path to AFCON 2025 has been marked by recent struggles, particularly a disappointing defeat to DR Congo in the final of the 2026 CAF World Cup playoffs last month in Morocco. This setback, along with inconsistent performances since their silver-medal finish in the last AFCON, has led to average expectations among fans, with Soccernet.ng's power rankings listing Nigeria as only fifth favorites for the continental crown.

Despite this skepticism, Osimhen remains a beacon of optimism. He emphasized a renewed sense of belief and hunger within the squad, expressing their determination to go all the way and lift the trophy on Moroccan soil. "For us, last month (the loss to DR Congo) was really disappointing... But life has happened, and we've moved on. But the memory still lingers," Osimhen told Kelechi Anyikude. He affirmed his strong belief in the squad, the coaching staff, and everyone associated with the team, stating, "We want to use this opportunity to send a clear message out there that we still have it in us." Nigeria aims for its fourth AFCON title and its first since 2013, with Osimhen acknowledging the challenging yet achievable path ahead.

Adding to the team's morale, Osimhen confirmed his full recovery from a hamstring injury sustained during the World Cup playoff final against DR Congo. "I am okay," he confirmed, expressing gratitude to his club, Galatasaray, for their unwavering support and ensuring he had game time before reporting for national duty.

As Nigeria prepares to lock horns with the Taifa Stars of Tanzania, they are widely considered favorites for the fixture. However, past instances show that the Super Eagles have a tendency to struggle even against teams they are expected to dominate. Osimhen, poised to lead the line, will be looking to "wreak havoc" and set the tone for Nigeria's quest for AFCON glory.