Meet The Nigerian Strikers For Afcon
8 Ike Uche
First on the Eagles list to South Africa 2013. The Villarreal of Spain forward is the preferred Eagles top striker and he has done well to justify that. IK has fired 18 goals in 40 games for Nigeria. He was the team’s leading scorer during the AFCON 2013 qualifier with three goals. He is one of the committed national team players, always fighting for the team on the pitch. He is also getting among the goals for Villarreal in their quest to return to La Liga as he has netted five goals thus far in the Segunda division.7 Ahmed Musa
‘Air Nigeria’ has netted twice during the qualifiers as the second top scorer for Eagles despite playing from the wing. His commitment to eagles has never been in doubt as he has always given everything for Nigeria. He has shown he can play as a top striker has he has scored eight goals from that position for CSKA Moscow in the league this season. With three goals from his 14 caps for Nigeria and his current form, Ahmed Musa will be at his first AFCON in January. 6 Emmanuel Emenike
Keshi is shopping for a big-man striker and Emenike fits the bill, but while he has been prolific at his various clubs, he has only scored once in over a dozen appearances. His physical presence and power play will always trouble the opposition to create chances for his partner. Injury permitting, he should be back in South Africa, where he once featured for FC Cape Town.
7 Victor Moses
The Chelsea forward has settled down with the Eagles after initial struggles as he has now scored two goals in a handful of matches. Besides his flair, his aerial power would be an added bonus to the Eagles attack.
6 Brown Ideye
He has found the back of the net regularly at Dynamo Kiev, where this season he has scored 10 goals. But he only broke the duck with the Eagles last week in the friendly against Venezuela in Miami with a well-taken goal. The big question is if the Eagles will be patient with him leading up to the Nations Cup. South Africa has not held much for this former U20 international as he did not kick a ball as a late replacement on the Nigeria squad to the 2010 World Cup.
5 Shola Ameobi
The Newcastle Unite forward showed a glimpse of what he could offer the Eagles on his debut in the Venezuela friendly when he assisted Ogenyi Onazi for the third goal. He would be a good addition to the Eagles, but would need to do more to move up the pecking order.
6 Obafemi Martins
Before the injuries and problems at his various European clubs, ‘Obagoal’ would be the first name on the roster of most teams not just the Super Eagles. He did not do much against Venezuela on his comeback only for him to get his fifth goal in La Liga days later. He will certainly get another chance with the Eagles, but the question would be if he could take it and make the final cut.
5 Bright Dike
Portland Timbers forward made an impression with his aggression against Venezuela, but he would need to do a lot more to make the final squad. He is another big-man forward, a type of player Keshi is shopping for.
4 Ejike Uzoenyi
The Enugu Rangers left winger started out on a bright note, but in the past three games he has struggled and would have played himself out of the AFCON squad. He could well be match rusty because the NPL is not on. He won’t make the AFCON final squad.
6 Osaze Odemwingie
He is a top-class striker, but last featured for Eagles under Keshi in February. He is back to his usual element as he scored the winner against Chelsea this past weekend. His quality is not in doubt and the fact that he could play on the flanks or as a top striker would help in his fight to be at the 2013 AFCON.
5 Sidney Sam
He has yet to be capped by Nigeria, but Keshi has disclosed he will be part of the team’s training camp for the Nations Cup. This lightning-fast Bayer Leverkusen right winger would again be a worthwhile addition to the squad, but his invitation is coming too late for him to be considered at least for the AFCON.