Gernot Rohr will not be short of strikers hopefully by the time the Super Eagles book their ticket to Qatar as many of them are already firing at full cylinders with just over a year to the big kick-off.
SCORENigeria list the Top 10 sharp shooters and also their current ratings and chances of being on the flight to Qatar by November 2022.
10 Isaac Success 5/10
Eight years ago, he was heralded as the man to lead the Super Eagles attack for many years after the massive promise he displayed with the Golden Eaglets. However, this has not come to pass no thanks to injury, poor attitude and a slump in form and confidence. Udinese in Serie A have handed him a chance to turn his fortunes around. He himself has said he wishes to be on the flight to Qatar 2022.
9 Odion Ighalo 6/10
He was the arrow head of the Super Eagles attack for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but both he and the team were disappointing as they crashed out at the first hurdle and the striker fluffed some chances against Argentina that could well have changed the story for the country in Russia. He has since made up for that forgettable outing by top scoring at the 2019 AFCON. Experience could still come handy for the national team and as long as keeps putting away the goals in Saudi Arabia, he will still have a chance to be at his second World Cup.
8 ‘Simy’ Nwankwo 6/10
‘Simy’ was the most prolific striker from Nigeria in a major league in Europe last season when he fired 20 goals in Serie A. He played a bit role at the 2018 World Cup and he will certainly love to be back at the biggest football platform come November 2022.
7 Sadiq Umar 6/10
He has already caught the eye of Rohr with his goals in the Spanish Segunda Division and should he maintain such form this season, he cannot be counted out just yet.
6 Ike Ugbo 7/10
The former Chelsea striker has thrown his hat in the Super Eagles Strikers’ War after he applied to change his international allegiance to Nigeria. He previously featured for England at age-grade levels. Last season, he netted 17 goals to ensure Cercle Brugge were not relegated and this season he has moved up in Belgium by joining top club Genk. He has made it clear he wishes to play at the next World Cup and he stands a better chance to do so with Nigeria than England.
5 Taiwo Awoniyi 7/10
He is already a re-born striker following his permanent transfer from Liverpool to Bundesliga club Union Berlin. Should he continue to bang the goals in Germany, Rohr will have no choice but to call him up sooner rather than later. Thereafter it will be left for the player to grab his chance after he has represented Nigeria at U15, U17, U20 and U23 levels.
4 Terem Moffi 7/10
The young striker has made the most his first season in Ligue 1 and as a result he now has three caps with the Super Eagles. He will now need to prove that last season was no fluke and when he gets a decent opening with the Super Eagles, this left-footed centre-forward ought to take it with both feet just as he has done at his various clubs.
3 Paul Onuachu 8/10
Big Paul scored goals for fun in Belgium last season – 35 goals in all competitions. But he has continued to play second fiddle to both Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho in the Super Eagles. He could be the classic target man even though he also offers much more and that means he will be very much part of the national team set-up as long as he continues to score for his club. Do not rule out the giant striker leading Nigeria’s attack in Qatar.
2 Kelechi Iheanacho 8/10
His intelligence, technique and left foot mean he can easily fit in as a second striker behind either Osimhen or Onuachu. He was at the 2018 Mundial and should he maintain consistency in front of goal, he will very much be in the mix for the next World Cup.
1 Victor Osimhen 9/10
He is currently the Super Eagles undisputed first-choice No 9. Interestingly, Rohr handed him his Super Eagles debut in 2016. He has since then understudied Ighalo at the 2019 AFCON and the result has been impressive – 7 goals, 5 assists in 13 caps. You must therefore be at the top of your game to take the Eagles No 9 jersey from this all-action striker.
The author has forgotten Cyril Dresser,who recently moved on loan to Feyenoord in Holland. If he could finds his scoring boot in place in Holland, that’s SE beacon
I tend not to write a lot of comments, but I read some of the
comments here Top 10 strikers for 2022 World Cup, plus their current ratings
– Score Nigeria. I actually do have a couple of questions for you if it’s allright.
Is it just me or do some of the remarks come across as if they are left by brain dead people?
😛 And, if you are posting on additional places, I’d like to follow anything fresh
you have to post. Could you list of every one of all your public sites like your
linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?