Both Sadiq Umar and Terem Moffi were the match winners for their respective clubs at the weekend as they push for spots in the final squad for the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
In the absence of the injured Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, will the veteran Odion Ighalo also be interested in a Super Eagles comeback?
At least, he is also firing goals with a hat-trick in Saudi Arabia this past week.
5.Victor Osimhen
He marked his return from injury with an assist for Napoli to record a vital victory at Atalanta and keep them within the bracket for UEFA Champions League places. It was his first game under new coach Walter Mazzarri as his future at the reigning Serie A champions still remains in doubt. Hopefully, the coming weeks will show whether or not he will commit his future to Napoli by finally signing an extension to his contract, which runs out in June 2025.
4.Odion Ighalo
The old war horse has been in the news lately for various reasons including that involving his problems with his wife Sonia. However, his hat-trick for Al Wehda this past weekend will cosign the gossips to the inside pages as his goals have continued to lift his modest Saudi club above their own weight. He has now netted eight goals in a league that has attracted some of the finest marksmen in the game. He is certainly in fine form even at the ripe old age of 34. Will he be keen for a last Hurrah with the Super Eagles at next year’s AFCON after his Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal then blocked him from the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon?
3.Chuba Akpom
Ajax Amsterdam have negotiated past a very difficult start to the new season thanks in part to the goals of the former Middlesbrough striker, who scored for the fourth straight league game in the 5-0 spanking of Vitesse Arnhem. Akpom has also settled down at his new club and he is now delivering the goals. Could he also be considered by the Super Eagles for the AFCON after he pledged his international allegiance to Nigeria?
2.Terem Moffi
The striker grabbed his fourth Ligue 1 goal with the only goal for Nice at home against Toulouse. Nice remain the only club in the Top 5 leagues in Europe yet to taste defeat this season. They are a point behind champions PSG in the standings and their Nigerian striker will be expected to weigh in with more goals as they aim to be one of the dominant clubs in France going by the ambitious plans of the new owners. He got a 7.7 rating for this shift. Moffi has also improved his chances of making it to his first-ever AFCON with the Super Eagles.
1.Sadiq Umar
The gangling striker has struggled for form in a Super Eagles shirt, but his wonder goal for Real Sociedad against Sevilla on Sunday is good enough to win any football match. It was a long-range rocket that won his team all three points to keep them within striking distance of the front runners in La Liga. Legendary Spain defender Sergio Ramos gave Sadiq his jersey in appreciation of that goal. This can only be great for his confidence as battle for squad places at the AFCON becomes fiercer.
