5 reasons George Ilenikhena should be in Nigeria’s next Super Eagles squad

George Ilenikhena is giving Nigeria another reason to look closely at its young attacking options, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 20-year-old striker has started the 2026-27 season with five goals in his first five competitive appearances for Al-Ittihad, including a brace in the King’s Cup and a winning goal in the Saudi Pro League. The former AS Monaco starlet, on Saturday night, scored twice as Al Ittihad powered to a thrilling 2-1 win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.

His latest run comes at an important point for the Super Eagles. Nigeria already has established strikers, but coach Eric Chelle also needs players who can develop into reliable options over several years. Lagos-born Ilenikhena fits that profile while already having experience in Ligue 1, the Champions League and the Saudi Pro League.

Ilenikhena: Reasons the Al-Ittihad striker deserves a Super Eagles call-up

Ilenikhena’s goals have arrived at the right time

Ilenikhena, who nearly left Al Ittihad earlier in the summer, began the new season with a spectacular 3-0 King’s Cup victory over Al-Najma on August 18. He scored in the 16th and 38th minutes, finishing once from inside the box and once from outside it. Six days later, he scored the only goal in Al-Ittihad’s 1-0 league win at Al-Qadsiah, striking in first-half stoppage time.

His most eye-catching contribution then arrived against Al Nassr as the youngster found the net twice to silence Ronaldo and teammates. That gives Ilenikhena five goals in five competitive appearances at the start of the campaign, a sharp return for a young striker fighting for more minutes.

Those goals could not have come at a better time as Nigeria’s Super Eagles begin preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. And with first-choice striker Victor Osimhen still a doubt for the games against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, Chelle could turn to Ilenikhena.

He has already scored against elite opposition

Nigeria would not be calling up an untested teenager. Before moving to Saudi Arabia, Ilenikhena scored twice against Barcelona in Champions League matches for Royal Antwerp and Monaco.

His Antwerp goal sealed the club’s first-ever victory in the competition. His Monaco goal in September 2024 made him the club’s youngest Champions League scorer at 18 years and 34 days.

That European experience, even at a tender age, matters. He has already learned what it takes to attack high-level defenders under pressure.

His age gives Nigeria long-term value

Ilenikhena is 20 years old, having been born in Lagos on 16 August 2006. His age gives Nigeria an opportunity to develop a striker who already has experience in Ligue 1, the UEFA Champions League and the Saudi Pro League.

He also has a strong development record. Before moving to Al-Ittihad, Ilenikhena made 51 appearances for AS Monaco, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists. He is young enough to grow into a long-term Super Eagles striker, but experienced enough to offer more than just potential immediately.

Competition for the No.9 shirt can only help Nigeria

The Super Eagles have several strikers competing for minutes, including Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams, Paul Onuachu, Victor Boniface, Tolu Arokodare and Taiwo Awoniyi. Adding Ilenikhena would give Chelle another profile: a young, powerful left-footer who can attack space and finish quickly.

Competition would also give Nigeria more options when opponents defend differently. Ilenikhena does not need to start immediately. A call-up would allow Chelle to assess him alongside Nigeria’s established forwards.

His role at Al-Ittihad is growing

Al-Ittihad paid a reported €33m to sign Ilenikhena from Monaco in February 2026, and the club gave him the No.9 shirt.

He then answered his first start of the new campaign with two goals against Al-Najma, the winner against Al-Qadsiah and another brilliant brace versus Al Nassr. Those performances suggest he is moving from a promising young signing towards a genuine attacking option for one of Saudi Arabia’s major clubs.

For Nigeria’s Super Eagles and coach Eric Chelle, that makes the next step clear: Ilenikhena deserves a place in the conversation.