Why Onuachu, not Osihmen, should be leading Eagles attack

It is really hard to think of a time when the Super Eagles lacked goal scorers in the team. Each era of the team under different managers have enjoyed the services of at least two proven goal poachers.

Rashidi Yekini, Daniel Amokachi, Julius Aghahowa, Yabuku Aiyegbeni, Obafemi Martins among others, form the list of Super Eagles rich and enviable collection of strikers over the years.

So far this season, a handful of Nigerian strikers have been doing well for their respective clubs and one name that easily comes to mind is Paul Onuachu who have bagged in 26 goals this season for Genk.

Sadiq Umar has also been impressive for UD Almeria with 16 goals in 25 games for Almeria this season in the Segunda Division of Spain. Kelechi Iheanacho has also been impressive with 7 goals in 13 starts.

Victor Osimhen, who has just returned from injury scored his third goal of the season in Napoli’s over Bologna over the weekend.

Among these strikers, Victor Osimhen seems to be Gernot Rohr’s favourite with regards to his style of play and the number of goals he has scored under the Franco-German tactician (5).

Paul Onuachu has always been criticised for his inability to replicate his club form in the Super Eagles but the 6ft tall striker has continued to prove to Gernot Rohr that he deserves to lead the Super Eagles attack line.

 

So the question is who should be the preferred choice between Victor Osimhen and Paul Onauchu? Here is why we think Onuachu should start be leading Super Eagles forward line.

Paul Onuachu offers Gernot Rohr tactical adaptability especially when he resolves to use long balls at the critical stage of a match. He also offers ball retention more than Osimhen. Onuachu can hold up play and draw fouls in dangerous areas in the opposition’s half.

Also, Paul Onuachu is in better form than any other Nigerian striker at the moment with 25 goals in 29 matches in the Belgian Jupiler League. It would be considered a great wonder if Onuachu doesn’t get the nod over any other striker or if he doesn’t make the squad list ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers later this month.

Form, consistency mong other elements inform the decision of any coach when selecting players for a match and for the first time in a long while Onuachu ticks all the boxes ahead of Osimhen who is just recovering from injury.

The primary responsibility of a striker is to get goals and Onuachu has shown that he can do that effortlessly this season.

The decision is Gernot Rohr to make but Paul Onuachu now than ever deserves to lead the Super Eagles attack going into the qualifies against Benin Republic and Lesotho.