Former Nigeria international Garba Lawal says that the Super Eagles will miss the immense talent of Victor Osimhen at next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2021) in Cameroun even as he challenges the other strikers to rise to the challenge of filling in the vacuum, completesports.com reports.
Super Eagles’ first choice striker Osimhen has been ruled out of AFCON 2021 following an eye injury he sustained while playing for Napoli in the Italia Serie A which eventually led to a surgery that will sideline him for 90 days recuperation period.
“Osimhen will be a great miss for Nigeria at the AFCON. He would have taken the AFCON by storm after experiencing the Egypt edition in 2019. This would have been his competition, but that injury has ruled him out, but the onus is on the coach to look for an alternative and perhaps change his style to suit whoever he picks to lead the Eagles’ attack,” Lawal told Completesports.com.
“I see his absence as an opportunity for other strikers to take advantage and fill the vacuum created by Osimhen’s absence. Fortunately, we are blessed with a good number of strikers who must raise their game to Osimhen’s level to impact on the team
Lawal added: “I am challenging the likes of Odion Ighalo, Onuachu, Taiwo Awoniyi, Emmanuel Dennis, Kelechi Iheanacho and Cyriel Dessers to rise to the occasion and minimise the loss of Osimhen at AFCON. This might just be the chance for one or two of these strikers to explode in their careers with a good outing in Cameroun.”
Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen’s coach, at youth international level, Manu Garba, has also expressed his concern on the Napoli striker’s injury situation and called on Nigerians to pray for his quick recovery.
Also Read – Exclusive: Dennis Has Done Enough To Lead Eagles’ Attack In AFCON 2021 – Akpoborie
“The injury, I learnt is a serious one, but I know Osimhen to be a very hard and determine boy with a good record of recovering fast from injury, who knows, his eye may just heal faster than the 90 days the doctors predicted and he would be available to play,” Manu Garba said.
“Whether he makes it or not to the AFCON 2021, Nigerians should just pray for his recovery. We need him for future battles. I hope other strikers will be able to cover his absence at AFCON and help the Super Eagles win the cup in Cameroun,” he concluded
By Richard Jideaka, Abuja
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COMMENTS
“”Lawal added: “I am challenging the likes of Odion Ighalo, Onuachu, Taiwo Awoniyi, Emmanuel Dennis, Kelechi Iheanacho and Cyriel Dessers””
From that list, Emmnuel Dennis is head and shoulders above everyone else right now at this moment for me except for Dessers who I must admit I currently know nothing about.