Super Eagles vice-captain William Troost-Ekong has rejected suggestions that Nigeria is overly dependent on star striker Victor Osimhen, insisting the team boasts multiple match-winners.
Debunking the Narrative
The PAOK defender's comments come after Nigeria's recent 2-0 friendly victory over Ghana, where goals came from Terem Moffi and Ademola Lookman in Osimhen's absence.
"People keep saying we rely too much on Victor, but our results prove otherwise," Troost-Ekong told journalists. "We have quality players across Europe who can decide games. Against Ghana, Moffi and Lookman showed we're not a one-man team."
Strength in Depth
The 30-year-old center-back highlighted Nigeria's attacking riches:
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Terem Moffi (Nice)
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)
Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)
"When one player is missing, others step up. That's what big teams do," he added.
Coaching Staff Backs Squad Balance
Head coach Finidi George echoed these sentiments, telling DAILY POST: "Our game plan isn't built around any single player. We adapt based on opponents and available personnel."
Fan Reactions Mixed
While some supporters agree with Troost-Ekong:
"We scored 10 goals at AFCON 2023 from 7 different players!" - @NaijaFootballFan
Others remain unconvinced:
"Osimhen is still our most lethal finisher. The stats don't lie." - @EaglesTruth
Upcoming Tests
The debate will face scrutiny in June when Nigeria faces South Africa and Benin in crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers.