Osimhen and Lookman Would Have Given Morocco Victory Over Brazil, Says Sunday Oliseh

Former Nigeria international Sunday Oliseh has offered a pointed assessment of Morocco’s display against Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, praising the Atlas Lions’ structure while identifying a lack of elite attacking quality as the factor that prevented them from claiming an outright victory.

Morocco and Brazil played to a draw in their Group stage encounter, a result Oliseh described as a reflection of how far the North African side has developed rather than a missed opportunity. Writing on his verified X account on June 14, 2026, the former Super Eagles captain applauded Morocco across both phases of play. “Impressive performance by this Moroccan side, defensively and offensively well structured,” he posted.

However, Oliseh was direct in pinpointing where he believed Morocco fell short. He cited the attacking profiles of Super Eagles forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman as the type of clinical threat that could have proved decisive against the South Americans. “Had this team had Victor Osimhen or Ademola Lookman-type players against Brazil, they could have won by 3-1 at worst,” he stated.

Oliseh also acknowledged the role of individual brilliance in Brazil’s performance, singling out two of their most dangerous attackers as pivotal to their resilience. “Brazil looked deceptive, and thank God they had Vinicius Jr and Raphinha,” he noted, suggesting the result reflected the quality of those specific players as much as the overall strength of the Brazilian squad.

The former coach reserved particular admiration for the mentality Morocco showed throughout the match. “I loved the belief and evolution from the Moroccans,” he added, a sentiment that speaks to the broader trajectory of a side that has consistently raised its level on the international stage.

Morocco’s performance against Brazil is the latest chapter in a period of sustained growth for the Atlas Lions. The team’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar — where they became the first African nation to reach that stage — marked a turning point in continental football. Since then, Morocco have maintained their reputation as one of Africa’s most tactically organised and competitive national teams.

Osimhen, currently one of the most sought-after strikers in European football, and Lookman, whose performances for Atalanta earned him widespread recognition including a standout showing in the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League final, represent the upper tier of African attacking talent. Oliseh’s remarks underline the ongoing debate about the gap between Africa’s individual player quality and the collective attacking output available to specific national teams.

For Nigeria, the Brazil-Morocco draw carries its own implications in the context of the 2026 World Cup group-stage dynamics, with the Super Eagles monitoring developments across the tournament as they assess their own path through the competition.