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Peseiro faces strikers selection headache

Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro is facing a challenging dilemma when it comes to selecting his squad for the national team’s upcoming friendly matches against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique, scheduled for October 13 and 16, respectively.

The Portuguese coach has called up eight forwards to the squad, most of whom are in excellent form and eager to get playing time. The pressing question among football enthusiasts is, “Whom will Peseiro choose for the starting lineup?”

The eight forwards on the roster are Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi, Terem Moffi, and Victor Boniface.

Peseiro has typically favored a formation with four strikers, featuring two wide players and two center forwards. This setup suggests that all eight forwards could potentially have an opportunity to play across the two matches. In the previous game against Sao Tome and Principe in September, Iheanacho and Lookman operated on the flanks, while Osimhen and Awoniyi played centrally.

With the friendly matches taking place only three days apart, the Portuguese manager will have the chance to rotate his lineup, and given the impressive form of nearly all the forwards, it’s difficult to go wrong with any combination he selects.

Iheanacho has been in outstanding form for Leicester City this season, tallying three goals and two assists in 11 appearances. Simon has been a vital player for FC Nantes, contributing two goals and three assists in seven Ligue 1 matches in France. Lookman has also found the net for Atalanta, scoring two goals in their last three games after a slow start.

Despite facing a club controversy, Osimhen has shone for Napoli, scoring five goals in seven games and ranking second in Serie A’s top scorers list. Awoniyi has excelled for Nottingham Forest with three goals and two assists in seven games. Moffi has mirrored Awoniyi’s stats, registering the same number of goals and assists for OGC Nice.

Among all the Eagles in Europe this season, Boniface has been the most in-form player, with 11 goal contributions in just eight games. The 22-year-old has scored eight goals and provided three assists across the Bundesliga, Europa League, and DFB-Pokal for Leverkusen.

On the other hand, new Milan signing Chukwueze has experienced a slow start in Italy, not yet scoring or assisting in seven appearances for the Rossoneri, although he has started only one game.

The selection of the starting lineup against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique remains uncertain. With such a wealth of talented forwards to choose from, it’s undoubtedly a tough decision for Peseiro. However, one thing is clear — whoever Peseiro ultimately selects will be determined to make an impact and assist the Super Eagles in securing victory to extend their current three-game winning streak.

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