Paul Onuachu snatched a late minute winner for the Super Eagles in Porto Novo to make the point he should not be overlooked, reckons IKENWA NNABUOGOR…
Like the biblical “rejected stone”, KRC Genk striker Paul Onuachu’s late winner against Benin in the 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifier in Porto Novo was all that the Eagles needed to get back to winning ways.
Onuachu’s goal has some precious pieces of history written over it – breaking Benin home invincibility of eight years and earning the Super Eagles a win for the first time since 2019 when they beat Tunisia to finish third best at the AFCON.
The Squirrels’ antics from fetish practices, to “parking the bus” defensive tactics, to frustrating Rohr and his men with some unfair pranks ahead of the Porto-Novo clash almost saw holding out for their much-desired draw, which would have been good enough to land in Cameroon before Onuachu broke their hearts three minutes into added time.
Rohr’s Eagles were decent against the Squirrels, but faced a very difficult task breaking their resolute defence until the “prodigal son” Onuachu emerged from the blues to hand his country a rare victory on the road.
Onuachu’s sins against Rohr dated back to the 2019 AFCON, when the former FC Midtylland front man was preferred ahead of the eventual tournament’s top striker,Odion Ighalo and he did not deliver.
His second chance was not wrapped in glory in the Eagles’ games post-Covid 19 and Rohr saw him only good enough for a standby selection ahead of the double qualifier which sparked a public outcry, questioning Rohr’s competence for dumping one of the world’s most prolific strikers.
Forced withdrawals of players mainly from France and Spain due to Covid-19 travel restrictions upgraded Onuachu from standby mode to the main list.
Rohr would stick to his new-found Victor Osimhen/Kelechi Iheanacho partnership in the attack, leaving Onuachu to start from the bench.
Had the Eagles frontline grabbed the goals, Rohr may have left his Porto-Novo Messiah on the bench, but providence had a better plan for the Belgian Jupiler League leading scorer.
Onuachu saved poor Rohr’s blushes who had been rounded criticized by going four games in a row without a victory amidst fans’ loss of confidence in the Franco-German, who they have accused of making their dear Eagles look so ordinary.
Onuachu’s expectations are indeed great and this Porto-Novo feat is a right step in the right direction to winning the hearts of Rohr and millions of Eagles’ fans who are yet to forget the striker’s no-show at the 2019 AFCON.
Could this be the beginning of greater things to come for the lGenk giant in an Eagles shirt that had long been expected?
Will this all-important winner change things for the better for the striker, who now has two goals in 10 appearances?
Has he finally sealed his place with his national team and won over Rohr?
Could this be the beginning of a fresh headache for Rohr for his choice for the point man role between Onuachu and the trusted Osimhen?
Could this herald the beginning of a lethal partnership between Osimhen and Onuachu that could stand the test of time and remind fans of the Yekini/Siasia combo of the 90s?
Onuachu’s truck load of expectations will no doubt be tested in the coming games, but certainly he will get Mr Rohr thinking he has a worthy option should he continue to find the back of the net for the country.
Tuesday’s game against Lesotho is another opportunity for Onuachu to continue warming his way into Rohr’s heart and another goal or two would change things for him.
Perhaps, Onuachu could as well be on his way to wrestling the top striker’s shirt from Osimhen.
Remember this gentle giant has buried 27 goals in 32 games in all competitions, averaging 2.536 goals per game?
It will only be as good as it gets for the 2.01 metres striker and also for the Eagles and Rohr.
