Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi says he’s not losing sleep over the growing competition in Nigeria’s attack, as he downplays comparisons with Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Nigeria booked their spot in the tournament by topping Group D with 11 points, and the battle for places in the final squad is already heating up. With the likes of Osimhen and Boniface grabbing headlines, Awoniyi is keeping his focus inward.
The Nottingham Forest striker, who last featured for the Super Eagles in a 1-0 victory over Libya in Uyo, has had limited opportunities under the recent coach. But instead of dwelling on competition, the 27-year-old says his goal is simple: personal growth.
Speaking on the Humble Boots podcast, Awoniyi said, “That’s football. I don’t see them knocking me off or seeing myself get knocked off. I think it’s all about momentum. If it’s their time, it’s their time. If it’s my time, it’s my time, and that’s how I see football.”
“I’ve never thought that I want to be better than this, I want to be better than that. I believe everyone’s destiny is different. I’ve never chased the goal of being better than someone else, I just want to be the best version of myself this year.
“Whether it’s playing or whether it’s not playing, I just want to be better than who I am.”
Awoniyi, who has two goals in ten appearances for the national team, emphasized that the path to AFCON isn’t about outperforming others, but being consistent and ready when called upon.
“I don’t believe I need to be better than this person to make it to the AFCON,” he said. “I want to be better at what I am doing for myself.”
Nigeria’s frontline is one of the most stacked on the continent, but Awoniyi’s mindset is a reminder that football is as much about patience as it is about performance.
The Super Eagles will fine-tune their preparations with a four-nation Unity Cup in London this May, where they’ll face Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.
