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Super Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen has admitted that he ‘a lot of alternatives’ to replace SSC Napoli of Italy striker, Victor Osimhen in his roster to the Africa Cup of Nations, but quickly interjected that he is not thinking much about them.
Megasportsarena.com reports that, rather than resign himself to the possibility of Osimhen not being available for selection, and thereby give way to about three other strikers in the Eagles’ provisional squad list, ‘Egu’ stressed that he would love to have the Napoli lad in Cameroon.
The former defender, skipper and head coach of the Nigerian national team acknowledged that Watford of England striker, Emmanuel Dennis, Union Berlin of Germany’s Taiwo Awoniyi and a coupled of others are also listed in the provisional squad, but stressed that Osimhen has a rare stock that would come in handing at next month’s AFCON.
With Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, Simy Nwankwo and Henry Onyekuru also knocking on the door of options in attack, ‘Cerezo’ will have to make a decision on ‘alternatives’ to fit in for Osimhen, though Bonaventure and Awoniyi appear to be his most credible options.
Bonaventure and Awoniyi are said to have been named to the provisional squad on merit, not to act as cover for Osimhen and Paul Ebere Onuachu, who was also cast in doubt for the competition with an injury he copped last weekend in action for Racing Genk of Belgium.
Awoniyi and Bonaventure already have their names were forwarded to CAF since November, following which they will now aim to do their best early next month when the Eagles’ camp opens, in order to make the final cut of 28 players.
Bonaventure faced limited opportunities under the former coach, Gernot Rohr, who did not invite him again after playing the last six minutes of a goalless draw against Sierra Leone on November 17, 2020.
Awoniyi finally made his senior debut in a World Cup qualifier against Central African Republic in October after such a long wait; but Eguavoen appears inclined towards starting Osimhen ahead of every other striker in the team, as he eulogized the Napoli hitman’s qualities.
The gaffer, though, enthused that he will have the former Ultimate Strikers of Lagos, VfL Wolfsburg of Germany, Sporting Charleroi of Belgium and Lille Metropole of France star in the team to Cameroon 2022, especially after holding heart-to-heart talks with the lad last week.
‘Egu’ confessed that he felt a relief of sort after holding talks with the lad on phone, but acknowledged that the youngster is still in a race to be fit enough for Nigeria’s opening match against Egypt on January 11, following the face injury he suffered in action against AC Milan.
Osimhen followed his predecessor, Odion Jude Ighalo’s example by finishing as joint-top scorer in the AFCON qualifiers, with five goals to his name, but Eguavoen emphasized that health comes first before international duty.
Eguavoen expatiated: “A lot of alternatives but Victor brings a lot to the team. I spoke with him, we didn’t talk about football.
“I was only concerned about his health and he told me he’s fine and we left it at that so we’ll keep monitoring him.
“I didn’t want to start boring him with Cup of Nations, come and play, it’s just what we want from him to come and perform and win the Cup.
“We have to look after his health as well. We spoke about his health, he said he’s fine. Hopefully, he will be available for the AFCON.
“When I see Osimhen he reminds me of strikers who can keep you on your toes as a defender the entire ninety minutes.
“If you blink he will punish you so I think Osimhen is one player that really excites me when it comes to attacking.”
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