Ex-Super Eagles international Yakubu Aiyegbeni has challenged the likes of Tolu Arokodare and Cyriel Dessers to step up for the country in the absence of Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen, Nigeria’s second all-time goalscorer with 26 goals, went off injured in the first half of last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The 26-year-old has been ruled out of the clash against South Africa and did not travel with the squad.
The three-time African champions will need to rely on other attacking options, with Tolu Arokodare and Cyriel Dessers favorites to start in Osimhen’s absence.
The win against the Amavubi reduced the gap to top spot in Group C to six points, meaning the Super Eagles must win on Tuesday to revive their qualification hopes for the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking in an interview, Aiyegbeni who scored 21 times in the ‘green and white’ colors, emphasized the importance of the Galatasaray forward, but challenged other members of the squad to impress in the game against South Africa.
“For sure he wants to play but he’s not going to be available. We have other strikers. Like I said, it is time for the other strikers (Tolu Arokodare and Cyriel Dessers) to step up and try to be the main man so that we don’t depend on one player”, Aiyegbeni said.
“We know when Victor plays is going to give 90 or 100 percent of whatever he gives. We know how he fights in the pitch, he wants to score goals and wants the country to win.
“And now we have players in the team I think it is time for them to step up and make the country proud”, he concluded.
Who will step up in Osimhen’s absence?
The Galatasaray striker has proven to be a reliable goalscorer for Nigeria since making his debut in 2017.
However, the Super Eagles must now rely on other options for the trip to South Africa with Tolu Arokodare and Cyriel Dessers in prime position for a starting berth.
Arokodare came on as a substitute and netted the winner against Rwanda on Saturday, scoring his second international goal in just his fifth appearance. The striker poses a huge threat to defenders with his huge figure and predatory instincts in the box.
Dessers, on the other hand, has scored three goals from nine outings for Nigeria and offers a different approach with brilliant linkup play and ability to create spaces for his teammates with his runs.
