Post-Osimhen plan: Ilenikhena, Ogundu & 3 youngsters to watch as Nigeria’s next No. 9

Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen is still Nigeria’s main striker, Afrik-Foot reports.

At 27, he also has important years ahead of him. But the Super Eagles cannot wait until his decline before they prepare for the next No. 9. Osimhen had 31 goals in 51 Nigeria appearances, leaving him six goals short of Rashidi Yekini’s national record.

That makes Eric Chelle’s decision to bring George Ilenikhena into the senior-team picture important. Recent reports suggest that the 19-year-old Al-Ittihad striker chose Nigeria after talks with Chelle. He has scored four goals in his last five matches, including goals in three straight games. Chelle believes Ilenikhena, who is still popular in Europe, can become a fan favourite and part of Nigeria’s future attack.

The question is not simply who can score the most goals at 19 or 20. Nigeria need a striker who can handle senior international football, attack space, lead the line and produce goals when the pressure is high. Ilenikhena has a strong case today, but Uchenna Ogundu, Hafiz Umar Ibrahim and Umar Abubakar give Chelle other options.

Super Eagles: Victor Osimhen’s top successors

George Ilenikhena: The early favourite

Ilenikhena has the clearest path. Born in Lagos in 2006 and raised in France, he became Ligue 2’s youngest scorer when he scored for Amiens SC against Bordeaux at 16 years and 150 days. At Antwerp, he scored 14 goals in 50 games before joining Monaco. His second Champions League goal against Barcelona came in the 71st minute of Monaco’s 2-1 win in 2024.

His move to Al-Ittihad gives him another test. His early 2026-27 league record includes a goal against Al-Qadsiah and two goals against Al-Najma.

Verdict: Ilenikhena is the leading candidate. He is left-footed, powerful, quick and already comfortable on major European stages.

Uchenna Ogundu: The physical challenger

Ogundu offers a different profile. The 20-year-old striker is 1.88 metres tall and joined Augsburg in February 2026 after spells with Şanlıurfaspor and Alanyaspor. Augsburg lists him as a Nigerian attacker.

His 2025-26 season produced three goals and one assist across 25 matches, including two goals and one assist in 17 Süper Lig games. He also scored once in the Turkish Cup.

The Bundesliga is now his major development test. His five league appearances in 2025-26 brought 47 minutes without a goal.

Verdict: Ogundu has the size and senior experience, but he needs regular Bundesliga minutes and more goals before he can challenge Ilenikhena.

Hafiz Umar Ibrahim: The penalty-box threat

Hafiz has already shown strong scoring numbers. The 20-year-old Kano-born striker scored six goals and made two assists in 21 Ligue 2 matches for Reims in 2025-26.

His rise has been fast. He was the top scorer at the 2024 Viareggio Cup with 10 goals in six games and later scored on his first Ligue 1 start against Strasbourg in April 2025.

Verdict: Hafiz may be the best pure penalty-box alternative. His next step is to turn consistent club scoring into a higher-level senior career.

Umar Abubakar: The late runner

Abubakar’s numbers at youth level deserve attention. The 20-year-old centre-forward scored 21 goals in 27 appearances for Jong Gent in 2024-25 and won the club’s Youth Player of the Season award.

He moved to Famalicão in Portugal and scored three Liga Portugal goals in 2025-26, including goals against AVS, Benfica and Alverca.

Verdict: Abubakar has the size, finishing record and experience to develop into a senior option, but he needs more first-team football.

Afrik-Foot verdict: Ilenikhena leads the race

Nigeria should not search for one instant replacement for Osimhen. The better plan is to build a group of young No. 9 options and give them senior experience before the need becomes urgent.

Right now, Ilenikhena is ahead. His Champions League record, early Saudi Arabia form, physical tools and international commitment give him the strongest foundation. Hafiz is close behind as a natural finisher, while Ogundu and Abubakar need more consistent first-team production.

Chelle’s decision to introduce Ilenikhena while Osimhen is still leading the attack could prove important. Nigeria can now build the next generation beside its current No. 9 instead of trying to replace him overnight.