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Awoniyi dismisses Osimhen rivalry

By Daily Sports Nigeria on May 8, 2025

Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi has dismissed any notion of competing with fellow Super Eagles forwards Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface for a place in the national team, insisting he has never seen the need to outshine them in order to earn selection, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Nottingham Forest striker made it clear that personal development, not rivalry, drives his football ambitions.

“I’ve never had the intention of saying, ‘I want to be better than Osimhen’ or ‘I want to be better than Boniface,’” Awoniyi told Humble Boots.

“I just want to be the best version of myself this year. Whether I’m playing or not, it’s about improving myself.”

The 27-year-old believes that each player has a different journey, and that chasing someone else’s success is not a path he subscribes to.

“Everyone’s destiny is different,” he added. “I’ve never chased the goal of being better than someone else. Even if I’m not on the pitch, it’s about what I’m doing when I’m not playing. That’s what matters to me, being ready when the opportunity comes.”

Still addressing the stiff competition in Nigeria’s attack, Awoniyi downplayed any suggestion of being knocked out by other high-profile strikers. He emphasised that football is a game of moments, and everyone gets their chance in time.

“Football is all about competition. If it’s your moment, it’s your moment,” he said. “I don’t see myself getting knocked off or knocking someone else off. If it’s my time, even the big names will watch me play.”

The former Liverpool striker also noted that final decisions on selection rest with the coaches and not the players themselves.

“When it comes to the Super Eagles, it’s never on you to decide. You can’t just say, ‘I want to be in the first eleven’ or ‘I want to be the main striker.’ That’s not your call. All you can do is work on becoming the player you want to be.”

As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations approaches, Awoniyi maintains that his route to the tournament lies in personal consistency rather than outperforming teammates.

“I don’t believe I need to be better than Osimhen or Boniface to get to the AFCON,” he said. “If I get more minutes, if I score goals, then I’ll make it. But I just want to be better at what I’m doing, for myself.”

Source Punch Ng

Posted May 8, 2025