Bright Osayi-Samuel has quietly been going about his business for Nigeria at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as the Super Eagles edge closer and closer to glory.
The former QPR man has been a revelation at right back, bombing up and down, providing width.
This has enabled the likes of Akor Adams and Ademola Lookman to drift narrow to support star man Victor Osimhen in attacking situations.
He started relatively slow. Although Nigeria beat Tanzania and Tunisia in their first two games, with Osayi-Samuel starting on both occasions, he was only fine, if unspectacular. He only made nine defensive contributions in his first two games.
This prompted coach Eric Chelle to rotate the squad for their third game against Uganda, and Osayi-Samuel was among those dropped for Ryan Alebiousu.
The Birmingham man seems to have learned from observing Alebiosu’s display against Uganda, studying his movement, positioning, and decision-making, He clearly then applied it to elevate his own game when he came back into the set up against Mozambique,
Statistically, he was impressive: he created one major chance, delivered two key passes, took two shots (one on target), made five tackles winning two, and contributed six times defensively overall as Nigeria beat Mozambique 4-0.
He followed it up with yet another solid display in a comfortable 2-0 win over Algeria. Now, he is potentially 180 minutes away from helping his country clinch the AFCON title for the first time since 2013.
Despite doing well, Osayi-Samuel is of the opinion he still does not get the level of recognition he deserves, which he actually considers a positive on his part.
“I want to thank God for the energy he gave me to showcase my ability," he said.
"I think a lot of people sleep on me which is okay, but it is games like these where I have to show people how good I can be."
Reflecting on their 2-0 win over Algeria to make the AFCON semis, Osayi Samuel expressed excitement.
“Today, the team played well, I played well but of course, this is not the final. It will be another opportunity for me to showcase my ability.”
At the ongoing 2025 AFCON, Nigeria have been whitewashing every team that has come their way. They have now scored 14 goals, two shy of the tournament record of 16 set by Ivory Coast in 2008.
Osimhen and Lookman alone have already scored half of those goals, while assisting six. Adams, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukuweze have also played a significant part. Osayi-Samuel believes their attacking display has injected fear into the opposition, including Algeria themselves.
“Just the way we are playing. I felt like Algeria were scared of us. We knew that. They did not have one shot on target as a team that scores a lot of goals.”
The last time Algeria took on Nigeria at the AFCON stage was in the semi finals in 2019. On that occasion, Riyad Mahrez netted a last minute freekick to give them the 2-1 win.
Osayi Samuel describes it as a “painful” experience, even though he still was not an international at the time.
“ I was not there, but I watched the game. When Mahrez scored that freekick, it was painful, but it was a totally different game today. We dominated the game, they did not have a shot on target, but it was really great.”
Osayi Samuel remains unfazed by the prospect of facing hosts Morocco in the semis, with many tipping them favorites.
“Today was a statement win. Morocco will be thinking about us. They have strengths too and a player that has been scoring every game, they have great players but we have to believe in ourselves, focus on ourselves, and I am sure we will beat Morocco too.”
Osayi-Samuel was part of the squad that reached the finals in 2023, only to fall short to the hosts Ivory Coast in the final.
He will be determined to make sure that that feeling does not find them again. For a man born in Nigeria but raised in Spain and then England, nothing will make him prouder than to deliver that title.
