Former Nigerian player and coach Nduka Ugbade showered Victor Osimhen with praise following his talismanic performance against the Benin Republic.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has attracted high praise from former youth team coach Nduka Ugbade, who compared the Galatasaray striker to the legendary Diego Armando Maradona.

Osimhen scored a hat-trick against the Benin Republic on Tuesday to keep Nigeria’s World Cup qualification dreams alive. The plaudits have steadily poured in since the spirited performance, with Ugbade the latest to join his voice.

What Ugbade said

The former Nigeria U-16 captain looked beyond the goals Osimhen scored, remarking that his performance showed incredible qualities typically associated with the likes of Maradona and Rashidi Yekini.

“What Osimhen did against Benin is not just about goals; it’s about leadership, belief, and heart,” Ugbade said, per Sports247. “He carries the team the same way Rashidi Yekini once did for Nigeria. That’s greatness.

“Great players make the impossible look easy. Osimhen is in that bracket. Like Yekini, like Maradona, he has that burning desire to win for his country,” he added.

“Every young player in Nigeria now wants to be like Osimhen, not just because of his goals but because of his story and attitude. He represents resilience, hope, and passion.”

Osimhen’s heroics were only enough to secure a playoff spot, with South Africa’s victory against Rwanda ensuring they won the group and clinched the automatic qualification spot.

As Pulse Sports reported, Nigeria will proceed to play a playoff semi-final against Gabon, and should they beat the Panthers, they will face the winner in the second semi-final (Cameroon vs DR Congo).

Victory in the CAF playoffs will qualify Nigeria for the intercontinental playoff round for a chance in the tournament proper.