Victor Osimhen recent run in front of goal for the Super Eagles has seen his goal count rise to six in ten games for the Nigerian team. He also has six assists to his name.
Five of his six goals came during the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations with the other coming in the 2-2 friendly draw against Ukraine. Overall he has played 11 games for the senior national team of Nigeria.
As the team get set for the start of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and also the Africa Cup of Nations next year. The goal will be for the Napoli striker to return to the form that saw him score 11 goals in ten games at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup.
One man who can easily set him on that path is Moses Simon, who has shown with his performance for Nantes that he has what it takes to set up goals from his role on the left side of attack.
He presently has three assists from two games but beyond this season’s tally he has 17 assists in 68 games for Nantes, one less than his total for Gent of Belgium but in twice as many games.
It shows he has modeled his game since moving to Nantes with the focus more on setting up his teammates with slick cut backs, pin point crosses and well weighted passes when the need arises.
His creative is what coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr should be keen on exploring when the qualifiers get underway with the team currently short in the area of creative midfielders.
Simon and Osimhen combo will no doubt produce the spark the Super Eagles have lacked in certain games in front of goal. Rohr will do well to ensure that the Nantes winger gets same role he enjoys at his clubside.
In the Super Eagles he has played in similar role but with a specific instruction to help out in defence, hence limiting his ability to create upfront. That has to change as the team shape up for the start of the qualifiers on the 3rd of September against Liberia in Lagos.