Bright Osayi-Samuel has revealed that Chelsea and England defender Reece James is the benchmark he measures himself against as Nigeria prepare to face Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16.
The Super Eagles full-back, who has emerged as the country’s first-choice right-sided defender during the tournament, praised James for combining defensive discipline with attacking flair, describing the Chelsea captain as the ideal model for the modern game.
Reece James recently returned to prominence after a long and frustrating spell on the sidelines, having missed large parts of the period between 2023 and 2025 with recurring hamstring injuries.
His comeback was underlined by a key role in Chelsea’s 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign, a reminder of the qualities that once made him one of Europe’s most highly rated defenders.
For Osayi-Samuel, those attributes are exactly what he seeks to emulate.
The Birmingham City player was drafted into Nigeria’s starting line-up after Ola Aina was ruled out with a hamstring problem, while young defender Benjamin Frederick has also been unavailable due to a knee injury.
The circumstances thrust him into a pivotal role in the group stage, where he featured in two of the three matches before Ryan Alebiosu made his debut in the final fixture against Uganda.
Reflecting on the players who shaped his outlook on the position, Osayi-Samuel was emphatic about James’ influence.
“He has everything. He can defend, attack, and even play in midfield. He is the full package,” Osayi said.
The 27-year-old added that his admiration for attacking full-backs stretches back to his youth, singling out former Barcelona star Dani Alves for special mention, particularly for the Brazilian’s understanding with forwards and his ability to transform the right flank into a constant source of threat.
Osayi-Samuel also offered insight into his previous spell in Turkey, where he played for Fenerbahce.
He painted a vivid picture of a league shaped by fierce rivalries, saying the intensity often spilled beyond the pitch into everyday life.
According to him, the divisions between clubs were so deep that even routine interactions became complicated when players from opposing sides crossed paths.
Despite the pressure, he described his time in Istanbul with affection, stressing that the backing he received from the Fenerbahce support was unlike anything he had experienced elsewhere.
He called the club “one of the biggest in the country” and said the scale of the fan base added both responsibility and motivation.
All of that experience now feeds into Nigeria’s knockout challenge.
The Super Eagles will take on Mozambique in the round of 16 on Monday, with the match scheduled for an 8:00 pm Nigerian time kick-off at the Complexe de Fes.
With Aina still sidelined and Frederick unavailable, Osayi-Samuel is expected to continue in the role he has made his own during the group phase.
For a player who openly models his game on one of Europe’s most accomplished full-backs, the contest represents another chance to underline why he has become such a trusted figure in the Nigerian line-up — and why, like Reece James, he believes a defender should offer far more than simply stopping the opposition.
