An argument on supremacy between top players around the world as undoubtedly been the basis of joy and fun among football fans, which distinguish the passion for football from any other sport.
Two Nigerian professional strikers, whom are regarded as the end and the beginning of their country’s attack, have both been on a terrific form in their respective clubs this season.
With Odion Ighalo’s move to Manchester United, many seems to think that the ex-Watford striker wouldn’t survive the pressure and euphoria that comes along been at the Theatre of Dreams. Surprisingly, the 30-year-old ex-Nigerian international striker have been a wonderful addition to the team, as his performances for the Red Devils have earned him praises from club fans and media.
Fortunately, his dream move to Old Trafford hasn’t hindered his capability in front of goal, unlike many other players who finds it difficult to find their rhythm at their new club.
Ighalo has impressively been able to score 4 goals in 8 games for the Red Devils, coupled with 10 goals in 19 appearances he scored for his parent club Shanghai Shenhua in China this season.
Ighalo’s goal records and present form has undoubtedly proven that the on-loan striker can be regarded as one of the most complete and deadly forward in the world. His pace, agility, tenacity, power, movements and eye for goal makes him so efficient in the attack and puts him in positions to punish any opposition defense at will.
While his fellow country’s forward and Lille striker Victor Osimhen has also been the shining light in Lille’s attack this season. His unceremonious move to the French club this season was made as an hopeful replacement for Arsenal’s record signing Nicolas Pepe, who was Lille’s top scorer last season.
After an unsuccessful spell at German club Vfl Wolfsburg without scoring a goal for the club, he was sent on-loan to Charleroi where he shined brightly, playing 36 games and scoring 20 goals, which prompted Charleroi to activate their option to acquire Osimhen following his satisfactory performances while on loan.
While at Charleroi, Osimhen told BBC Sport that he had “found his happiness again”.
In July 2019, he later signed for Lille OSC. Since signing for Les Dogues, the 21-year-old forward as found the back of the net on 18 occasions and laying six assists in 38 appearances in all competitions.
Osimhen’s electrifying form this season hasn’t gone unnoticed and has enthralled Nigeria’s ex-international and former Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Everton forward Yakubu Aiyegbeni to disclose in an interview with goal.com that: “If he keeps performing like this week in week out, training well and staying focused, he will be one of the top strikers in the world.”
“He is an example to other young footballers who should watch the way he plays at the moment to check themselves.”
While Odion Ighalo believes Victor Osimhen has huge potential, and praised his compatriot as the “future of Nigerian football,” reports standard.co.uk.
“I talk to Osimhen, he’s a very nice boy, young, he’s a good guy,” Ighalo told Elegbete TV.
“We talk, not almost every day, but almost every time I advise him. He’s the future of Nigerian football. He’s the future, he’s going to do so well in football.
“I always advise him to keep calm, keep working hard and the guy is going to be a celebrity, you know.
“He came to watch our game against Club Brugge in Belgium because it’s closer to where he lives, he messaged me he was going to come so I gave him my jersey, and in fact he brought his own jersey for me, too.
“Osimhen is a nice boy, we’re from the same place. I love him, he’s down to earth, he’s hard working, he has a future and he has the mentality of a winner, that’s what I love about him. He has that lion’s heart.
“I love him, I just want him to keep working hard the way he’s doing, he’s going to break so many records in Europe and Nigeria.”
At 21-year-old, Osimhen has already showed the world how dangerous he can be in front of goal and with top clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool, Leicester and Manchester United running after his signature and his steady rise to stardom this season, it obviously suggests that the youngster is deemed to be one of the best forward in the nearest future.
