Victor Osimhen is looking forward to facing Gabon in the 2026 World Cup play-off! | OneFootball

The Nigerian is excited for the most important match of their journey.

Victor Osimhen

With the sting of Nigeria's absence from the 2022 World Cup still fresh, Victor Osimhen has made it his personal mission to guide the Super Eagles back to football's grandest stage.

The star striker enters the crucial playoff against Gabon Panthers with renewed vigor, carrying momentum from his impressive club form with Galatasaray. His ambition burns on two fronts, as he declared, “We have many goals as a club. We need to work hard and fight for these goals... I want to be in the World Cup with my country. I am giving my everything there too.”

The team's reliance on their talisman is undeniable. During the initial qualifiers, the former African Footballer of the Year was nothing short of transformative, netting six goals that included a spectacular hat-trick against Benin. This makes the memory of his injury-induced absence from five critical matches all the more painful, a period where the squad managed a mere four points and ultimately suffered their fateful defeat in Abidjan.

Now, with everything on the line, Osimhen's focus is razor-sharp. “Next month is the World Cup playoffs. I will help my teammates with my goals, assists and everything.” Nigeria, having secured their spot as the fourth-best second-placed team, now finds itself in a dramatic confrontation. They stand as the highest-ranked team in the playoffs, poised to face Gabon, who despite being the lowest-ranked contender, earned their place as the best second-placed team.