Afrigather After the opening-day draw with Equatorial Guinea, the highlight falls sharply on Nigeria’s subsequent Group A recreation towards no apart from Cote d’Ivoire, wonderful hosts of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The previous few hours have seen the eye of many Nigerian followers dwell on the health of Alhassan Yusuf, the arrival of OGC Good ahead Terem Moffi to Tremendous Eagles’ camp, and the workforce assembly conjured by captains Ahmed Musa and William Troost-Ekong in direction of bettering workforce efficiency forward of the conflict towards the Elephants.
Nonetheless, a key query nobody desires to ask looms: ought to Victor Osimhen begin versus Cote d’Ivoire following his subpar efficiency towards Equatorial Guinea?
Because the reigning African Footballer of the 12 months and indisputably Nigeria’s finest participant, Osimhen’s underwhelming type within the opening conflict has ignited debate.
Regardless of salvaging a 1-1 draw along with his Thirty eighth-minute equaliser, the Napoli striker’s missed alternatives are onerous to disregard.
Osimhen fired six photographs towards the Nationwide Thunder however scored only one aim.
Symbolising Nigeria’s wastefulness within the encounter, Osimhen had 4 of his six makes an attempt go off-target, and two of his misses might be onerous to overlook for some time.
Within the first instantaneous, Osimhen confirmed his pace of thought and consciousness to set himself in a one-on-one scenario with Equatorial Guinea’s goalkeeper Jesus Owono. Nonetheless, the Deportivo Alaves goalkeeper made an important block save.
Within the second scenario, Osimhen raced on to an excellent Alex Iwobi through-ball however fired an errant shot broad when he had solely Owono to beat to go away followers shocked.
Stats don’t lie – finishing just one go out of seven and straying offside 3 times, Osimhen didn’t exhibit the sharpness anticipated from a participant of his caliber.
As Nigeria face a must-win scenario towards Cote d’Ivoire, the query emerges: ought to Osimhen be benched?
Nigeria’s assault harbours options.
Paul Onuachu, in stellar type for Trabzonspor earlier than departing for the AFCON, is a potent choice.
With a confirmed monitor report in Denmark and Belgium, Onuachu’s ending intuition within the field might unsettle the Ivorian defence.
Along with his peak benefit and nostril for free balls within the hazard space, the Southampton loanee has what it takes to set the AFCON ablaze with targets.
One other attacker who can preserve Osimhen on the bench is Kelechi Iheanacho.
Though battling health considerations, the Leicester Metropolis ahead boasts a formidable chance-to-goal ratio. If deemed match, his hazard in and across the field might show invaluable.
There’s additionally OGC Good’s striker Terem Moffi, who has a clear ball-striking skill, is adept at link-up play, and provides one other dimension to Nigeria’s attacking arsenal.
Any of Onuachu, Iheanacho, or Moffi may be deployed alongside Osimhen to offer Nigeria a extra harmful presence within the Ivorian penalty space.
In the end, the choice on who makes the beginning lineup rests with head coach Jose Peseiro.
Whether or not Osimhen begins or not, the chosen striker should embody a preventing spirit and be adept at creating and ending possibilities.
The narrative of Nigeria’s AFCON journey pivots on the person who leads the road, and a victory towards Cote d’Ivoire hinges on making the suitable selection.
The stage is ready; the choice have to be strategic and resolute.
Be aware: Who ought to lead Nigeria’s assault towards Cote d’Ivoire: Osimhen, Onuachu, Iheanacho or Moffi? Depart your solutions within the remark part under.
