Paul Onuachu celebrates Super Eagles goal vs Uganda during the AFCON 2025 (Photo by: IMAGOxThor Wegner/DeFodi Images)
Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu has praised teammate Victor Osimhen for making their strike partnership work in Nigeria’s 3-1 win over Uganda on Tuesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Going into their final group stage game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Uganda, coach Eric Chelle was expected to introduce several new players who had not gotten minutes in the first two games.
That is exactly what happened, as players such as Francis Uzoho, Ryan Alebiosu, Igoh Ogbu, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Moses Simon, and Paul Onuachu all earned their first starts of the tournament.
Onuachu started alongside Osimhen in the Super Eagles’ attack, and the duo combined effectively. Osimhen could have even provided Onuachu with an assist, but the Trabzonspor man missed the chance. Nonetheless, he later scored a goal off an assist from Dele-Bashiru.
For Onuachu, the partnership with Osimhen was a new experience, but he lauded the Galatasaray star for aiding the chemistry between them.
“I mean, we’re professionals, we’ve been training together, we understand each other’s qualities,” Onuachu told Soccernet.ng.
“So, I mean, he’s a great player, he gives a lot of options, and it makes me try to come down and ask for the ball, because I know his quality, he’s fast, he can run deep.
“So, I just have to play with the options he gives me because he’s a good striker, so he has a lot of options to give when you play alongside him.
Should Eric Chelle Continue Pairing Paul Onuachu With Victor Osimhen?
Coach Eric Chelle has shown that he prefers to use two strikers, and Victor Osimhen will always be the first choice due to his quality.
Akor Adams has been the first-choice strike partner since October, and he has done pretty well. However, Onuachu’s performance against Uganda will surely give Chelle ideas.
The Trabzonspor man had a presence in the box, fell back to link up the play, and had a good understanding with Osimhen. The only difference between him and Adams is that Adams is faster, more mobile, and better with his feet.
As it is, Adams still seems like the best option for Chelle. But Onuachu has shown that he can do a job when called upon.