A brace by Victor Osimhen and a hat-trick by Odion Ighalo should sound danger for Ghana going into Friday’s first World Cup playoffs in Kumasi.
5.Odion Ighalo
The former Manchester United striker struck thrice for Al Hilal to trounce Al Ahli 5-0 in the Saudi Premier League. Ighalo is the leading scorer in the league having scored 19 goals in the league thus far this season. His Super Eagles comeback was not warmly welcomed last year, but all will be forgiven and forgotten should his goals get Nigeria past arch-rivals Ghana to the World Cup in Qatar.
4.Akin Akinkunmi
The exciting forward justified his first start for new Danish club FC Copenhagen by scoring the match winner against Nordsjaelland. His heroics come at a time his agent and former Swedish club Hammarby have been hammered for breaching protocols in his transfer from Nigerian club Sidos FC. His winner can only boost his self-belief when he joins up with the Super Eagles squad for the first time for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ghana.
3.Yira Sor
The former Flying Eagles winger again scored a double for Slavia Prague to reach the last eight of the UEFA Europa Conference League at the expense of Austrian club LASK. He has now scored four goals in the competition after he also bagged a brace against the Austrian club in the first leg of the Round of 16 tie. He is certainly one to keep a close eye on.
2.Alex Iwobi
The former Arsenal ace does not often score goals, but when he does, it is most likely to be a defining effort, like his 99th minute winner for troubled Everton against a battling Newcastle United. The dramatic win, which caused manager Frank Lampard to break his hand during the celebrations, has kept Everton out of relegation trouble at least for the time being. It also shamed some of Iwobi’s critics, who include Everton fans.
1.Victor Osimhen
The Super Eagles striker is almost single-handedly carrying the title hopes of Napoli with his goals. This past week, he followed up with another brace against Udinese for Napoli to keep the pressure on Serie A leaders AC Milan. He has scored double figures in the Italian top flight for the second straight season to join an illustrious African company that includes the legendary George Weah. Osimhen will be one of the reasons Napoli should they clinch the Scudetto since 1990.
