Super Eagles’ AFCON 2027 qualifiers: The four strikers fighting for two places

Super Eagles’ striker picture has changed this week with both Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu injury doubts ahead of Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Afrik-Foot reports.

Osimhen suffered a right adductor injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 win at Istanbul Basaksehir on 4 September and was substituted after 33 minutes. Galatasaray later confirmed an advanced-moderate strain.

Onuachu’s problem came two days later. He scored twice in Trabzonspor’s 5-0 win over Gençlerbirliği but left in the 44th minute after suffering an injury. His fitness is also now a concern for Eric Chelle.

That leaves four strikers with a strong case for the two places available in Chelle’s attack: Tolu Arokodare, Cyriel Dessers, Rafiu Durosinmi and Kelechi Iheanacho. Their club form gives the Super Eagles coach different options.

Nigeria face Madagascar in Group L on 25 September at 16:00 GMT before travelling to Morocco to play Guinea-Bissau on 29 September. Tanzania, one of the tournament hosts, is also in the group and has automatic qualification. That means Nigeria’s Super Eagles must finish above the other non-host teams to secure its place at AFCON 2027.

Four-way Super Eagles striker battle

Tolu Arokodare

Arokodare has the strongest momentum. The 25-year-old scored in Ajax’s 3-1 defeat by PSV Eindhoven on 5 September, making it four straight matches with a goal and five goals across his last four Ajax appearances.

He scored against PSV in the 23rd minute after Ricardo Pepi had put the visitors ahead. Arokodare has two Eredivisie goals and one assist in four league appearances, while his European goals have lifted his season total to five.

Ajax signed him on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers in July, with an option to buy.

Cyriel Dessers

Dessers brings experience and a proven scoring record. The 31-year-old joined Panathinaikos after a productive spell at Rangers, where he scored 34 league goals in 73 appearances.

His start in Greece has been mixed. He scored in the 2-0 win at Levadiakos on 31 August and also scored twice against Hradec Králové in the Conference League. He was then sent off after eight minutes against PAOK on 6 September.

Rafiu Durosinmi

Durosinmi offers a younger option with a strong club record. The 23-year-old moved to Genk in July via Pisa after scoring 23 league goals for Viktoria Plzen.

He started his Genk career quickly, scoring in four of his first five league appearances. His goals came against Waregem, Westerlo, Antwerp and Beveren before Genk drew 0-0 at Anderlecht on 6 September.

That four-goal start gives Chelle a striker who is playing regularly and finding the net.

Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho may have the hottest numbers of the four. The former Manchester City and Leicester City forward has scored eight goals and provided two assists in his first six league appearances for Bursaspor in Turkey’s 1. Lig.

He scored in Bursaspor’s wins over Bodrum FK, Iğdır FK, Kayserispor and Istanbulspor, then struck twice in a 2-1 victory away to Manisa on 7 September.

Chelle now has a difficult choice: Arokodare has momentum, Dessers has experience, Durosinmi has a strong start in Belgium, and Iheanacho is producing goals almost every week.

The Franco-Malian tactician must decide which two will lead the Super Eagles’ attack against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in the absence of Osimhen and Onuachu.