SCORENigeria Top 5: New boys shoot again for Super Eagles places

New boys are on the block shooting to be considered by the Super Eagles going by their exploits across Europe this past week – Victor Olatunji, George Ilenikhena, Jerome Akor and Josh Maja.

5.Josh Maja

The England-born striker has already been capped once by the Super Eagles and now going by his recent splendid form in front of goal, is back on the radar of the national team. He fired his sixth goal in as many matches as West Bromwich Albion returned to the summit of the English Championship. His second-half match winner against a spirited Plymouth ensured they are a point ahead of nearest rivals Sunderland in the race back to the Premier League. Last season marred by injury problems is now distant history for the former Bordeaux sharp shooter.

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) September 21, 2024

4.Jerome Akor

The former Flying Eagles striker is again knocking on the Super Eagles door after he fired a double for Montpellier to record their first victory of the new French Ligue 1 season. He first goal proved his aerial prowess and he showed his composure by racing on to a through ball to finish off for the winning goal against visiting AJ Auxerre. The home win lifted Montpellier from the relegation zone. He has now scored three goals in Ligue 1 this season and his goals will be crucial for his club to stay up in the French top flight this term. His aerial power and directness will also add to the options in the Super Eagles strike force.

3.Victor Boniface

Only days after he made his UEFA Champions League debut at Feyenoord, the Super Eagles striker came off the bench to score the winning goal in the Bundesliga home clash against Wolfsburg. He turned sharply inside the box to fire home for Bayer Leverkusen to win 4-3 in stoppage time. It is such class and commitment that fans want the striker to show when he is on Super Eagles duty.

Victor Olatunji celebrates on Champions League debut

2.Victor Olatunji

The Sokoto-born striker became the first Nigerian player to score and assist on his UEFA Champions League debut. Czech champions Sparta Praha overran RB Salzburg of Austria 3-0 to get their Champions League campaign of to a flying start. Besides his exploits, his ‘I am a Chosen’ goal celebration in support of the Lord Chosen Church in Nigeria trended on social media. 

1.George Ilenikhena

The youngster has already made a name for himself in his first season at AS Monaco after he came off the bench to snatch the winning goal against mighty FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. He also did same last season for Antwerp in the same competition and against the same team. At 18 years 34 days, he thus became the youngest Monaco player to score in the Champions League ahead of Kylian Mbappe. The Lagos-born centre-forward has already represented France at age-grade level, but former Monaco star Victor Ikpeba has led the charge that the Super Eagles call him up as he’s one for the future. He will certainly be an exciting addition to the already loaded Super Eagles attacking talent.

Ilenikhena Man of Match Champions League vs Barcelona