Ex international Emmanuel Amuneke has said, in a recent chat with Soccernet.com.ng, that if Nigeria must qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Super Eagles attack must be sharp and ruthless in front of goal against Zambia.
The team will begin their quest for a place in Russia when they face the Chipolopolo of Zambia on October 9 in Lusaka. A victory for Nigeria will put the team in a good position the qualify from the “group of death” that also have Algeria and Cameroon also in it.
Despite having the likes of Odion Ighalo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, and Brown Ideye, Nigeria has always struggled to score against African teams during qualifying matches. Gone are the days when players such as late Rashidi Yekini, Daniel Amokachi, Samson Siasia, Victor Ikpeba and Efan Ekoku rocked the headlines with goals whenever they represent the country in international competitions.
However, Amuneke who won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia as a player and also led the Golden Eaglets to win the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile insisted that the Super Eagles strikers must be ruthless against teams, starting with the game against Zambia in the 2018 World Cup qualifier.
“I am not particularly happy with the way and manner some of the Super Eagles strikers have been playing for the team. I can't imagine a situation where we have quality strikers who still end up struggling to score goals whenever they are called upon to represent their fatherland,” Amuneke told Soccernet.com.ng.
“With players such as Odion Ighalo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ahmed Musa, Isaac Success, Brown Ideye and Victor Moses I expect nothing but goals irrespective of the teams they face. However, they often struggle to score a goal, something which can be witnessed in the team's failure to qualify for 2015 and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. I must confess to you that if the Super Eagles must qualify for the World Cup, our attackers must be clinical in front of goal.” He concluded.
