Nigeria: An Attack in Top Form Ahead of Eric Chelle’s Next Squad List

Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, George Ilenikhena, Paul Onuachu and Tolu Arokodare have already combined for 22 goals and 7 assists in their respective leagues since the start of the season. That attacking output gives Eric Chelle several options ahead of his next Nigeria squad announcement.

Nigeria have enjoyed a particularly productive start to the season in attack. From Turkey to Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands, several Nigerian forwards have quickly found their rhythm with their clubs.

Five players stand out in particular: Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, George Ilenikhena, Paul Onuachu and Tolu Arokodare.

Osimhen and Iheanacho have already scored 14 goals

Victor Osimhen has scored six goals and provided two assists in four Süper Lig appearances for Galatasaray. He has scored in every league appearance so far.

Kelechi Iheanacho has also started the season at a high-scoring pace. The Bursaspor striker has scored eight goals in six rounds of the 1. Lig. He notably scored twice against Manisa FK on September 8, including the stoppage-time winner.

Together, Osimhen and Iheanacho have already recorded 14 goals and four assists.

Ilenikhena continues to make an impact

George Ilenikhena adds another dimension to Nigeria’s attack. The Al-Ittihad forward has four goals and two assists in the Saudi Pro League.

On September 5, he scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Al-Nassr. He was decisive again on Friday, September 11, against Al-Faisaly, providing both assists for Youssef En-Nesyri in a 3-1 win.

At just 20 years old, Ilenikhena already has six direct goal contributions in the league.

Onuachu and Arokodare are also finding the net

Paul Onuachu has scored twice in four Süper Lig appearances for Trabzonspor. Both goals came in the 5-0 win over Gençlerbirliği on September 6.

Tolu Arokodare has also made a strong start with Ajax. He has two goals and one assist in four Eredivisie appearances. He has added three goals and one assist in the Conference League qualifiers.

The five forwards have therefore combined for 22 league goals and seven assists since the start of the season.

Those numbers alone are not enough to establish a hierarchy between the players. Their roles, opponents and playing environments are different. But they do provide a clear indication: several Nigerian forwards have already started the season strongly.

And this does not even cover all of Eric Chelle’s attacking options. Ademola Lookman remains another important piece of the Super Eagles’ attack.

As the next squad announcement approaches, the Nigeria coach has a group of forwards in which several players have already found the back of the net regularly. For the Super Eagles, that is above all good news: the attacking options are numerous, and they are already producing.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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