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3 weeks ago
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- Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman hazard missing retired connected the 2026 FIFA World Cup arsenic the Super Eagles conflict successful the qualifiers
- Despite registering their archetypal triumph of the bid against Rwanda successful Kigali, Nigeria dropped points again aft failing to bushed Zimbabwe successful Uyo
- Having missed retired connected the 2022 variation of the planetary spectacle, Osimhen would beryllium mostly disappointed with the existent situation
There are concerns implicit Nigeria's mediocre tally successful the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers arsenic the Super Eagles are acceptable to miss different variation of the planetary showpiece.
It has been a precarious concern for the three-time African champions successful Group C, with lone 1 triumph successful six matches.
For Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, 2 of Africa’s brightest stars and caller African Player of the Year recipients, missing retired connected what could beryllium their premier accidental to grace the planetary signifier carries profound implications.
Source: Getty Images
This imaginable lack could impact their careers, their legacies among past Nigerian greats, and their lasting successful the league of African football icons.
Osimhen, Lookman to miss World Cup successful their prime?
Striker Victor Osimhen is 26 and guardant Ademola Lookman is 27, it is believed that some players are present entering the highest of their respective careers.
By the clip the adjacent World Cup starts, the Galatasaray of Turkey striker would beryllium 27, portion Atalanta playmaker would beryllium 28.
It is the cleanable property that positions them to pb Nigeria's Super and showcase their talents connected the biggest stage.
As Nigeria missed retired connected the 2022 FIFA World Cup aft Ghana edged the Super Eagles to the ticket, Victor Osimhen openly warned that Nigeria indispensable debar a repeat, arsenic per BBC.
Now the West African are connected the verge of missing retired connected the 2026 edition, and by 3030 the striker would beryllium 31, perchance past his carnal prime.
Lookman, connected the different hand, lone switched allegiance to correspond Nigeria successful 2022, helium has ne'er played successful a World Cup.
At 28 successful 2026, it would beryllium his archetypal realistic shot, but helium volition perchance beryllium marking a diminution successful his agility and explosiveness successful 2030 erstwhile helium would beryllium 32.
Should Nigeria miss retired connected the 2026 FIFA World Cup, some players look the hazard of ne'er competing astatine a planetary spectacle.
This could woody a important stroke to their resumes arsenic they attack their 30s, erstwhile opportunities to cement planetary designation whitethorn dwindle.
Will Osimhen, Lookman fertile among Nigeria greats?
Some shot greats person represented Nigeria astatine the World Cup, and Osimhen and Lookman's legacies volition 1 time beryllium compared, arsenic per Give Me Sport.
At the property of 20, Jay Jay Okocha played astatine the World Cup successful 1994 and went connected to look astatine the 1998 and 2002 editions arsenic well.
Source: Getty Images
The country's all-time starring scorer Rashidi Yekini played astatine 2 FIFA World Cus, 1994 and 1998, portion two-time African Player of the Year Kanu Nwankwo played astatine 3 - 1998, 2002 and 2010.
These players solidified their reputations with World Cup appearances, but Osimhen and Lookman deficiency that defining planetary moment.
Mutiu Adepoju, who featured astatine the 3 World Cup tournaments - 1994, 1998 and 2002, disclosed it would beryllium bittersweet should Osimhen and Lookman miss retired connected the adjacent variation of the planetary showpiece.
The 'Headmaster' told Legit.ng:
"It's going to beryllium a precise bittersweet 1 for Nigeria not to spell to the World Cup due to the fact that of truthful galore things. Looking astatine the 2 players, being African champion players back-to-back, it's going to beryllium precise sad."Nevertheless, we tin lone hope, due to the fact that it's precise very difficult. I don't cognize if mathematically we tin inactive beryllium astatine the World Cup."It's a precise large accusation and each that for them not to beryllium determination (World Cup), but they volition inactive person similar 5 years, adjacent though I don't privation to hold for that I would person loved them to play astatine the 2026 FIFA World Cup."The African Player of the Year Legacy
Osimhen and Lookman are the latest Nigerian players to triumph the coveted CAF African Player of the Year grant having won it successful 2023 and 2024 respectively.
They joined an elite database that includes the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba and Mohamed Salah—all of whom starred astatine World Cups.
Missing 2026 could impact their lasting among these African greats.
Osimhen furious with teammates
Legit.ng earlier reported that Victor Osimhen was unimpressed aft his teammates fto their pb gaffe against Zimbabwe arsenic it ended 1-1.
The Super Eagles are inactive without a location triumph successful their 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
He was spotted fuming aft the last whistle of the aggravated encounter.
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Source: Legit.ng
