Super Eagles: 2 reasons George Ilenikhena deserves Guinea-Bissau start

Super Eagles striker George Ilenikhena had the perfect start to life in a Nigeria jersey, and there are strong reasons why Eric Chelle should consider handing him another start against Guinea-Bissau, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 20-year-old was handed his first senior international start against Madagascar on Friday and repaid Chelle’s faith by scoring Nigeria’s equaliser in the 2-1 comeback victory.

Ilenikhena showed impressive composure to control Alex Iwobi’s pass before firing a left-footed finish into the net in first-half stoppage time.

Moses Usor then completed the comeback after the break, giving Nigeria three important points ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Bissau.

Guinea-Bissau also won their opening Group L fixture, defeating Tanzania 2-0 away from home, meaning both teams enter Tuesday’s encounter on three points.

With Victor Osimhen still unavailable, Chelle has several options in attack, including Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi and Tolu Arokodare. However, Ilenikhena has already given the coach reasons to retain his place.

Why George Ilenikhena deserves another Super Eagles start

1. Ilenikhena has already shown he can deliver

The simplest argument for keeping Ilenikhena in the starting XI is that he has already delivered when given the opportunity.

The Al-Ittihad forward did not need a long adjustment period against Madagascar.

After Nigeria fell behind to Ehsan Kari’s 16th-minute goal, Ilenikhena remained involved and eventually produced the moment that changed the mood inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

His equaliser was not a simple tap-in either. The youngster received Iwobi’s pass around the edge of the box and produced a composed left-footed finish to beat the Madagascar goalkeeper.

It was very impressive given that it was his senior international debut.

Chelle also started Ilenikhena alongside Akor Adams in a two-man attack, and the youngster’s movement gave Nigeria another threat between the Madagascar defensive lines.

With Guinea-Bissau expected to provide another difficult away test, retaining a player who has already demonstrated his ability to remain composed under pressure could be valuable.

Ilenikhena himself has also made it clear that he wants to establish himself in the national team after his dream debut.

“I will continue to work hard and do my best for the team on the pitch to always be in the team,” he said after the Madagascar victory.

2. His club form

Ilenikhena’s goal against Madagascar was not an isolated moment. The youngster arrived in Nigeria in excellent form for Al-Ittihad, having scored six goals and provided two assists in nine appearances at the start of the 2026/27 campaign, according to Goal.

That means Ilenikhena’s confidence in front of goal is not simply the product of one successful international appearance.

He has been consistently contributing for his club and then immediately transferred that scoring form to the Super Eagles.

That is important for Chelle because Nigeria are entering an away fixture against a Guinea-Bissau side that also won their opening qualifier.

The Super Eagles need players capable of turning limited opportunities into goals, and Ilenikhena has demonstrated exactly that quality over the opening weeks of the season.

Ilenikhena’s fitness is the only concern

There is, however, one significant caveat. Ilenikhena and Adams trained separately from the rest of the Super Eagles squad on Saturday, raising questions over their availability for Tuesday’s match. The extent of the issue has not been disclosed.

If Ilenikhena is cleared to play, though, his debut goal and excellent club form give Chelle a compelling case to keep him in the starting XI.

Nigeria need another strong attacking performance to leave Bissau with a positive result, and the 20-year-old has already shown he can provide it.