Former Nigerian striker, Julius Aghahowa has disclosed that the absence of Odion Ighalo and Victor Osimhen remain a big blow to the Super Eagles at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Aghahowa stated this in an interview with Brila FM, where he expressed disappointment with the absence of the two strikers from the showpiece.
Recall that Ighalo, whose Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab, did not permit his participation in the AFCON 2021, joins fellow striker, Osimhen to miss the competition.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk star, who was Nigeria’s top goalscorer at the 2002 African Nations Cup, also noted that the duo of Taiwo Awoniyi and Sadiq Umar utilise the chance at their disposal in Cameroon.
“It is a blow to the national team that Odion Ighalo could not make it to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. And also the other player (Osimhen) that didn’t make it is also a blow for us.But as it is, we have to make do of what we have at the moment.
“Those players are professionals and they are playing in their teams in Europe. And that is what is expected of them when you are called to represent your country, you have to give in your best.
“You have to prove that you are worthy of that call. So now, the opportunity lies in the shoulder of Taiwo Awoniyi and Sadiq Umar.”
By Augustine Akhilomen
11 Comments
This guy you shouldn’t be here atall. Is like you think this is a forum for selling weed? How can you be saying Osimhe can still come back, when he has been replaced and it’s on record already. And besides there is a deadline.
A big big miss indeed..
Those two are some of the best you have in the world not just within the continent.
We also missed out on one of the highest goalscorers in Europe last season as well plus one of the best strikers in the English premiership Emmanuel Dennis not to forget Cyriel Dessers who is in great form 5 hot strikers missing!!that’s alarming it’s worrying how a country will lose 5 of its best marksmen days to a major competition.
Apparently,this should be our nations cup with the availability of these fantastic arrowheads.Aside the strikers another big misses are Bassey and Akpoguma.
Despite all the setbacks Nigeria has a big squad,our pool of talents did come in handy,though I can’t beat my chest to boast of my expectations but I can’t say I’m not optimistic neither.
One interesting factor about this team is,until we play our first game against Egypt we don’t know what to expect but as fans we keep our fingers crossed.
LMFAO! Are you minding them @Let us fail with our own. You know some of these fans just like their own, don’t know anything about FIFA’S rules, replacement of injured players, deadline etc.. LMAO! I wont be surprised if they don’t watch Dutch league red hot forward, dessers too. What a global disgrace! LMFAO!!!
Awoniyi is a lucky chap and I pick him to shine in this nation’s cup. History usually repeats itself
@Danny , you spoke my mind. Awoyini seems to be a child of destiny. At the u17 world cup he wasn’t the first choice striker. It was Isaac success that was the name shaking the whole world.Unfortunately before the finals Isaac got injured and Awoyini who was the back up striker was called upon.He took the opportunity with both hands and write his name in the history books. He made everyone forget success teill date.Same cycle has surface again. Osihmen is out injured and the onions now rest in Awoyini to score important goals for us. Can history repeat itself? Can Awoyini
make us forget Osihmen? Time will tell.
Yeah,and the guy can bully defenders. If he rises to the occasion, he can provide a better alternative and even outperform the lanky,athletic Victor.The super Eagles might have a vardy and a lewandoski together. Lmao
Who is this guy please? Oh my goodness! Some of you I shouldn’t be responding to you.. we ain’t on the same level atall.. So Feyonoord is under what league? South African league abi? Where your mr no nonsense love watching and brought in Ndah over Apkoguma that plays in the top 5 league in the world.
Missed naija 11.. from either coaches’ negligence or paperwork delays or from injuries or players or club issues.
Adeleye/ Tobias Lawal
Ehizibue/Agu. Akpoguma Balogun. Bassey
Etebo.
Dennis. Ejaria Lookman
Dessers. Osimhen
Add few from this 11 with the players in camp, we are capable of reaching the semis of the world cup if there’s good managements form our FAs and Coaches.
Something tells me Egwuavoen fancies Awoniyi to Umar Sadiq……abeg play Sadiq for us jor….. Awoniyi misses lots of chance. Guys,what do u think?
I feel Sadiq is a more confident and modern goal poacher than Awoniyi,he knows how to hold on play and wait for others to join him,I would prefer Sadiq too but let Eguvoen decide,you do not have osimhen nor ighalo,and you fail to bring another striker,how can cyril dressers be left out,still baffles me,iheanacho,awoniyi and Sadiq not a goal scoring duo,I wish the good luck.
No be small blow. The thing still dey pain me up till now.
But we are more than able.
God bless Nigeria.