Why Kelechi Iheanacho must start alongside Osimhen against Tanzania

Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho is making a strong case for Eric Chelle to recall him to Nigeria’s starting XI to partner Victor Osimhen.

The Bursaspor striker continued his free-scoring run yesterday, finding the net in the 81st minute of his side’s 2–1 defeat to Mardin 1969 Spor in the Turkish 1. Lig.

The brilliant strike was Iheanacho’s 12th league goal of the campaign, taking him to 13 goals across club and country after he scored for Nigeria in their 3–3 friendly draw against Russia last week. He has also registered two assists in the Turkish league.

Yet the argument for including Iheanacho against Tanzania goes beyond his goals. The 30-year-old has spent much of his career showing that he can operate alongside another striker, making him a potential support to Osimhen rather than a direct competitor for the same position.

At Leicester City, Iheanacho developed an almost telepathic understanding with Jamie Vardy, playing over 100 games alongside the Englishman, while his time at Manchester City gave him the opportunity to learn from Sergio Agüero.

33 – Jamie Vardy (17) and Kelechi Iheanacho (16) have scored 33 goals between them in the 32 Premier League games when they have both started together. Partnership. pic.twitter.com/wPr27EGVhT

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 3, 2021

That experience makes him an intriguing option to play just behind Osimhen, whose movement and penalty-box threat could benefit from having a technically gifted partner nearby.

With Nigeria preparing for their November AFCON 2027 qualifying fixtures against Tanzania, Chelle should consider whether the best way to use his in-form striker is to pair him with the Galatasaray striker.

Super Eagles: Why Kelechi Iheanacho and Osimhen could be a dangerous partnership

1. Iheanacho has experience playing as a supporting striker

Iheanacho’s goalscoring form can make it easy to view him as a typical number nine. However, his Leicester years showed that he can be effective when paired with a striker who prefers to run in behind the defence.

Vardy’s pace and willingness to run beyond defenders complemented Iheanacho’s preference to drop deeper, link play and find space around the penalty area, almost like a number 10.

Former Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers highlighted the difference between their styles when discussing the partnership.

“Jamie likes to penetrate the back line. Kels can do that, but he can also come underneath and play,” Rodgers said in quotes revealed by Sky Sports.

“The connection, the synergy, between the two is very good because they are both slightly different.”

That description offers a blueprint for Nigeria. Osimhen is at his most dangerous when heading crosses in, chasing through balls and forcing defenders to deal with his movement in the box.

Iheanacho can occupy the spaces just behind him, link the midfield to the attack and look for opportunities to release Osimhen. Rather than crowding the same space like Akor Adams and Ilenikhena did, the pair could give Nigeria two complementary threats.

2. Osimhen needs a partner who can create and score

Osimhen remains Nigeria’s starter except for injuries, but the Galatasaray star cannot carry every attacking responsibility himself.

Opponents can devote considerable attention to limiting the striker’s movement, cutting off service and crowding the central areas he likes to run into.

A second forward who can create chances and score would give defenders more problems to solve.

Iheanacho offers that possibility. He is comfortable receiving the ball between the lines, combining with teammates and finishing chances around the box. His current form also means defenders cannot focus solely on Osimhen.

Starting him alongside Osimhen does not guarantee goals, but it’s certainly worth trying out by Eric Chelle.

3. Chelle should reward form without sacrificing balance

Chelle must decide how to fit his best attacking options into a team that needs results against Tanzania.

Akor Adams is another forward who can play alongside Osimhen, and his physicality offers a different way to trouble opposing defenders, but on the ball and outside of the box, he offers considerably less than Kelechi Iheanacho.

The coach does not necessarily need to abandon his preferred formation to test the pairing. Iheanacho could play just off Osimhen, with the other attackers stretching the pitch and midfielders supporting the forward runs.

The challenge would be ensuring that Nigeria do not leave the midfield exposed or allow both strikers to occupy the same spaces. That requires preparation, but it is a problem worth solving when one of the forwards has scored 13 times for club and country this season.

There is also a selection message in rewarding Iheanacho’s form. A player scoring goals for his club and delivering for Nigeria should be considered for a starting role.

Iheanacho has earned the chance to start

Iheanacho’s 13-goal return gives Chelle a strong selection argument, while his experience alongside Vardy shows why he should not be viewed only as a replacement for Osimhen.

Nigeria need to make the most of their attacking talent. Rather than choose between two strikers, Chelle should consider whether their different qualities can work together.