"Victor is on another level" - Frank Onyeka lauds Nigeria teammate ahead of AFCON

The Super Eagles are in Group C at the competiton in Morocco where they will face Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda.

Osimhen has been prolific both both club and country in recent years and will be gunning for the AFCON trophy after Nigeria losts to hosts Ivory Coast in the 2023 final.

He scored just once in that tournament and will feel he has a point to prove in Morocco.

Onyeka told BBC Sport Africa: "He's such an amazing player.

"He's a guy that wants to fight for every single ball. For me, I think the defenders are scared of him. Victor is on another level."

Osimhen was sorely missed during Nigeria's unsuccessful 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign as they claimed four points from a possible 15 when he was absent with injury.

They ultimately felt the Galatasaray's loss in their World Cup play-off against DR Congo when Osimhen was forced off at half-time.

"Missing Victor going into the second half, [it] changed a bit," the Brentford midfielder added: "Even one of the players from Congo said the same. When Victor left it gave the defenders a bit of rest and then they can relax a bit."

Osimhen is second in Nigeria's all-time goalscoring list with 31 goals in 45 appearances, behind Rashidi Yekini.