Former Nigeria coach says the in-form forwards have the quality and leadership to inspire the national team to silverware.

Former Super Eagles manager Sunday Oliseh has challenged and encouraged Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman to translate their impressive club form into international success with Nigeria.

Oliseh said the duo possess the quality and influence needed to lead the Super Eagles into a new era of trophy-winning football.

Speaking in an interview, the former midfielder singled out the pair as players capable of inspiring the rest of the squad, pointing to their performances in the UEFA Champions League and other competitions as proof of their quality.

According to him: “We have two top Nigerian players who are excelling in the Champions League.

“Osimhen is doing well, and Lookman is also doing exceptionally well. All we need now is for these two top players to lead the team and for the others to follow, and you will have it.”

Osimhen, who plays for Galatasaray, has scored 17 goals in 25 appearances this season, with seven coming in the Champions League, where the Turkish side reached the Round of 16 for the first time in 12 years.

At the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the striker led all players with 21 shots at the tournament, including 10 on target, and scored four goals—just one behind Golden Boot winner Brahim Diaz. He was also named in CAF’s Team of the Tournament.

Lookman, who joined Atletico Madrid from Atalanta in January, has helped Diego Simeone’s side reach the Copa del Rey final, where they will face Real Sociedad on April 18 in Sevilla.

If Atletico win, the winger will become the first Super Eagles player to lift the Copa del Rey since Emmanuel Amunike won it with Barcelona in 1997.

At the AFCON, Lookman scored three goals and provided four assists—the most by any player at the tournament—and was also named in CAF’s Team of the Tournament alongside Osimhen.