Nigeria is enjoying an amazing boom of strikers currently on the top of their game this season. It has been a marvelously unraveling sight for Nigeria fans who have watched just about every striker plying their trade overseas bang in the goals consistently for their teams.
Europe is littered with players of Nigerian descent showcasing their talents to the world as well as flying the flag for their country, and this moment feels like a truly significant one with a generation of talented footballers from Nigerian shores breaking through at the same time.
As Victor Osimhen was ruled out for the latest Europa League game of Napoli, we thought it was the right moment to do a roundup of the top strikers of the Super Eagles and their current form.
Gernot Rohr’s men are gearing up for the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Cameroon in 2022 and will be banking on the array of firepower available for a year that also ends with the Qatar World Cup.
Victor Osimhen
The 22-year-old has admirably stepped up in his second season in Italy after he underwent a difficult learning curve last term with injuries and illness.
The Nigerian started the current campaign in blistering fashion hitherto after a worrying opening-day red card. Since then, Osimhen has now scored nine goals and laid on two more in 13 appearances for Napoli.
While Luciano Spalletti’s side are unbeaten and top the Serie A table, their number nine has also been delivering the goods for his country with two strikes in four World Cup qualifiers so far. Osimhen currently averages a goal every other game for the Super Eagles and is in prime goal-scoring form going into AFCON 2022.
Either side of the African showpiece set to hold between January and February, however, Osimhen would represent a key element of the Pertenopei’s title credentials.
Taiwo Awoniyi
The 24-year-old got a much-needed permanent move away from Liverpool and is relishing his settled surroundings after spending last season on loan at Union Berlin.
Awoniyi has now delivered 12 goals and two assists in 19 matches in all competitions for the Iron Ones and has already surpassed his league tally from the whole of last season. The striker is in the most prolific form of his senior career and the permanent move to Union is working wonders for Awoniyi.
Indeed, only Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland, Patrik Schick and Anthony Modeste have scored more Bundesliga goals than the Nigerian so far, and his impressive showings were enough to earn his international debut in October’s 1-0 home defeat to the Central African Republic.
The 2013 U-17 World Cup winner has only just begun to attract the attention of Europe’s elite, and with two possible international tournaments in 2022, Awoniyi is Nigeria’s latest breakout star.
Paul Onuachu
The Genk man earned the attention of Europe in a stunning individual campaign which saw him score 35 goals in all competitions to win the Belgian Pro League Player of the Year and 2020/21 Golden Boot.
Big things were expected of the prolific frontman and although a big move to one of Europe’s top five leagues surprisingly failed to materialize, Onuachu has kept his head down and has 12 goals for his efforts in 20 games this season.
The giant goal-machine is a considerable physical presence whose hold-up play has further improved for the Smurfs. While his overall game is living up to his increasing pedigree, it is quite obvious his days are numbered with the Belgian Cup winners.
The 27-year-old has tripled his international goals in 2021 and may be set to contribute an active role in Nigeria’s AFCON adventure as well as World Cup qualifying campaign.
Terem Moffi
The 22-year-old is starring for Lorient after hitting 15 goals and three assists for the newly-promoted Brittany side last season. Moffi has understandably become an integral part of a team that has struggled for consistency in their second season in the top-flight.
The Nigerian has registered two goals and three assists so far this season, although he is currently enduring a seven-game goal drought, his creativity remains key for Christophe Pelissier’s men.
Moffi bagged the assist in their latest 2-1 defeat to Brest, and he perhaps represents the biggest hope of ending their six-match winless run. Possessing speed, a nimble left foot, and a deft touch, the forward certainly has a high ceiling in the game.
The talented striker would add to his three caps for the Super Eagles should he remain an attacking menace for Ligue 1 defences.
Kelechi Iheanacho
An incredible run of goal-scoring form in the latter part of last season propelled the 25-year-old’s career and he has maintained that ruthless form since. Having won the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2021, Iheanacho is riding on a solid wave of confidence which bodes well for the AFCON-bound Super Eagles.
He is pertinently taking on a more creative role this season with five assists which is only two off his career-best total for a season. Yet, Iheanacho has netted three times in 16 games, averaging a goal contribution every other game in 2021/22.
‘Senior man Kelz’ netted a fantastic brace against Liberia in Lagos to start the 2022 World Cup qualification campaign in September and take his tally to 11 goals for Nigeria. The 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner undoubtedly has a key role to play in Nigeria’s attack during a busy 2022.
More of his ruthless form on the international scene will go a long way in ensuring a successful outing for Nigeria.
