Napoli and Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has picked the trio of Paul Onuachu, Sadiq Umar and Kelechi Iheanacho as his main rivals for the Super Eagles top striker position.
Sadiq has scored 16 goals this season for promotion chasing Almeria while Iheanacho has scored 11 goals in his last 8 games. Onuachu ended the regular season in Belgium with 29 goals as he gears up for the playoffs.
In an interview with celebrated Nigeria journalist Colin Udoh on ESPN said the trio have really done well in Europe and he hope they transfer same form to the national team.
“I think they are all doing quite well — Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho and Sadiq Umar,” he told ESPN. “Of course I am happy for them and I’m happy about their form.
“And of course, being able to capitalize on their current form for the national team is really important. Kelechi has been doing quite well and he has been scoring goals. Onuachu also, I think he’s the leading goalscorer in Europe which is very important.
“He gave us the winning goal in the game against Benin Republic. It shows that we can capitalize on their form and count on them.”
One name that he failed to mention is 28 years old Crotone forward Simy Nwankwo who has scored 17 goals in the Serie A this season, same league as Osimhen but at a club that is at the basement of the league table yet has more goals.
On his part he admit he must continue to work hard in order to keep his spot as first choice striker of the senior national team of Nigeria because the others are waiting to take his spot if he fails to use it.
“Of course, for me I just need to keep on working hard, keep on doing well for my club and for the Super Eagles also in order to remain the number one and if I’m called upon I think I will give my all and I think this is really important,” he said.
‘It’s not for me, it’s not for my individual glory, it’s for the team, which is really good and I think the rest of the strikers are also ready to take the spot so I have to keep working hard.”