Paul Onuachu has said coming to this year’s AFCON in Morocco, he and his Super Eagles colleagues already have it at the back of their mind that they have to win the tournament.
The Super Eagles will be back in action on Saturday night when they will face Group C leaders Tunisia.
While the Super Eagles edged out Tanzania 2-1 in their first match, Tunisia recorded a 3-1 victory over Uganda.
Commenting ahead of the big clash, Onuachu told journalists at the Super Eagles training:”Nigeria is a big country and Tunisia is also a football nation, but I think we have the players and squad to take it to the next level.
Also Read: AFCON 2025: We’ll Do Everything Possible To Get The Job Done Against Tunisia –Dele-Bashiru
“I think there are lots of strong teams and the game against Tunisia will not determine anything and even already coming here we have it at the back of our mind that we have to win the AFCON. But like I said earlier we have to take each game as it comes.”
Since making his AFCON debut in 2019 in Egypt, Onuachu is yet to register a single goal in the tournament.
The Trabzonspor strike le was introduced for Victor Osimhen in the win against Tanzania.
By James Agberebi in Fes, Morocco
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Is This The Tournament That Will See Paul Onuachu Finally Win Over Hearts and Minds?
Paul Onuachu, a striker scorned by many a Super Eagle fan, appears to have seen support from the side of the supervisor of this team, Eric Chelle.
If the substitution pattern of the curtain raiser against Tanzania is anything to go by, the Turkey-based beanpole batter is behind only Akor Adams and Victor the vivacious Osihmen in the pecking order.
“Nigeria is a big country, and Tunisia is also a football nation, but I think we have the players and squad to take it to the next level,” Onuachu was quoted as saying after the Tanzania tussle that ended 1:0.
Next level, fans want nothing more than Onuachu to take his own game to the next level.
The general consensus from a cross-section of the media was that he produced a professional performance against Egypt in the warm-up exercise.
But this tournament is the real deal. Even though he is only afforded a few minutes here and there in tournaments, Onuachu has to start making those minutes memorable.
I don’t think he is a poor striker in international football; international football is a beast unto itself. and Onuachu needs to deliver a performance with that sort of attacking charm to suit the savage breast.
He needs to be savage with every touch, savage in his aggression, and savage in his desire to make a statement with an approach that screams out class and quality.
Even when Akor Adams is not scoring, his crosses, long balls, low drives, movements, and all-around composure on the ball are akin to listening to and watching the Akure Philharmonic Orchestra perform a Mozart tune inside the Adamasingba Stadium Complex in front of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, his wife and her cicisbeo.
I just feel Onuachu has to inject that bit of poise and panache to his presentation. Only then will he be able to take his game to the next level, able to win over hitherto stubborn hearts and minds.