NFF has Solanke, Ilenikhena, and Omorodion on their radar
The brasshats of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are still mightily vexed by the unendearing attitude of Victor Osimhen and eye a future without him in the Super Eagles.
The NFF is now mapping out a plan to convince the trio of Bournemouth’s Dominic Ayodele Solanke, Monaco’s George Osrzehmen Ilenikhena, and Atletico Madrid’s Samuel (Samu) Omorodion Aghehowa to pledge their allegiance to represent the Super Eagles.
According to a reliable source in the Federation, officials of the Nigerian FA blame the Napoli striker for the Super Eagles’ recent poor performance in the ongoing African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria occupies fifth place in Group C of the CAF qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group also contains South Africa, Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Lesotho.
Super Eagles are only superior to sixth-placed Zimbabwe in their group. Recently, the Nigeria national team has developed a dangerous habit of relying heavily on Osimhen’s participation to fly.
Unfortunately, the Napoli talismanic striker has not featured in any of the Super Eagles’ four outings in the ongoing CAF qualifying group games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In Nigeria’s November 16, 2023 matchday 1 Group C fixture at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Super Eagles played an uninspiring 1-1 draw against visiting Lesotho.
On Matchday 2 three days later in Butare, Rwanda, the Nigerians huffed and puffed to another lackluster 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe at the Stade Huye. In both encounters, Osimhen was not listed due to injury.
The Napoli man was then showcased by Nigeria two months later and inspired the same team to a final match finish at the recently concluded CAF African Nations Cup losing 2-1 to the host nation Cote d’Ivoire.
On the eve of Nigeria’s matchday 3 against South Africa, Osimhen featured in Napoli’s scoreless encounter in their last Serie A game in the 2023-2024 season against Lecce as a second-half substitute for Jens Cajuste on Sunday, May 26.
He was again unavailable for Nigeria on June 7, 2024, having been listed as injured when the uninspiring Super Eagles ended their matchday 3 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier game against South Africa on a 1-1 scoreline.
A few days later, Nigeria were beaten 2-1 by Benin in their last Group C World Cup qualifier game for 2024.
The defeat led to an internet tantrum storm by Osimhen following an unconfirmed tabloid report that Super Eagles’ erstwhile manager George Finidi blamed the defeat by Benin on the Napoli striker’s unpatriotic habit of representing the national team.
Osimhen’s outburst against Finidi was considered tasteless by NFF juggernauts especially after Finidi denied ever calling the Napoli superstar unpatriotic.
Our source said: “Unknown to Nigerians, Victor Osimhen is very difficult to manage. He is always the last player to report to national camps and wants everyone to see him as a special species from the rest.
468 minuten over alle competities heen. 7 doelpunten. Een goal om de 66 minuten. George Ilenikhena! ⚽🔥 pic.twitter.com/8HQVvpmztb
— Royal Antwerp FC (@official_rafc) December 11, 2023
“His rants against Finidi are the last straw. We are determined to call his bluff. The Super Eagles must not rely on just one player. The senior national football team of Nigeria is too big for any player.
“It is our resolve to make the national team very competitive in every department. We are determined to scout for more and better talents from all over the world for the national teams”.
The NFF official who spoke to us under the cloud of anonymity said that to this effect, the Federation’s scouts have been tasked to approach emerging and confirmed talents worldwide to wear the national colors.
“Let me say this clearly, Osimhen’s outburst against Finidi is tasteless. He cannot do so to even our last White coach (José Peseiro) or any of the officials of Napoli,” our source added.
“Our first consideration after his behavior was to axe Osimhen from the Super Eagles but the Sports Minister was against this option.
“Our plan B is to convey to the team that no player or official is indispensable. We have tasked our scouts to approach emerging talents like George Ilenikhena, and Samuel Omorodion to represent Nigeria.
“We want to talk to a player like Dominic Solanke too.”
