Gabriel Adedayo Osho, AJ Auxerre’s towering central defender and one-cap Super Eagle, has set his sights on lifting Nigeria’s fourth AFCON title as the team prepares for the 2025 edition of the tournament in Morocco. The 26-year-old, born in England to Nigerian parents, made his long-awaited debut for the Super Eagles last month in their 3-1 victory over Benin Republic.

Osho’s journey to the national team has been one of perseverance. His initial invitation to the squad in March under interim coach Finidi George was cut short due to injury. However, his recent debut not only marked a milestone in his career but also sparked a newfound determination to make history with the Nigerian team.

Reflecting on his experience, Osho shared his pride in donning the green-and-white jersey.

“It was special to play for Nigeria,” Osho said. “The emotions, the pride—it’s something I had never felt before. At first, I felt a little out of place, but the players welcomed me warmly. I even had mutual friends with some of them, like Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, and Alex Iwobi, which made settling in easier.”

Osho has been enjoying life in Ligue 1, contributing defensively and offensively for Auxerre, who currently sit 15th in the table. His ability to influence games at both ends of the pitch, as seen in his goal against RC Lens, has not gone unnoticed.

Now, with AFCON 2025 and the FIFA World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Osho believes the Super Eagles have the tools to succeed.

“After what happened at AFCON 2023, it’s time to go further,” he said. “The quality of our team is the best in Africa. It’s time to prove this on the big stage.”

The AFCON 2025 tournament, scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will feature 32 of Africa’s finest teams. For Osho and the Super Eagles, the mission is clear: to bring the coveted trophy back to Nigeria.