Victor Osimhen is Nigeria’s undisputed number nine at the moment, but competition may have risen for the youngster from unexpected quarters
Former Nigeria international Bright Omokaro has charged Gernot Rohr to extend an invitation to celebrated US Monastir striker Anthony Okpotu as the former Lobi Star ace is capable of giving Osimhen much-needed competition in the national team.
Okpotu became the darling of many after finishing his first season in Tunisia as the highest goalscorer in Ligue 1.
The former NPFL hero scored 13 goals in 23 league appearances to help the Monastir-based outfit finish third in the 2019-20 Tunisian top-flight table.
Rohr can presently call on the attacking talents of Crotone’s Simy Nwankwo, Genk’s Cyriel Dessers and Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho aside Osimhen. Still, Omokaro wants the German tactician to add Okpotu to his watch list.
“Winning the top scorer award in Tunisia and also being named the best foreign player in the league shows that Okpoku has come of age,” Omokaro said in quotes obtained from the Guardian.
“I think he deserves Super Eagles’ call up.
“Competition is vital in the national team. If he is allowed to fight for a shirt with Victor Osimhen and others, it will bring out the best in the strikers, and the winner takes it all.
“When you watch Ronaldo and Messi in competition, you see they work hard to be at their best at all times. This is why our players in the national team need to be opened to competition to bring out the best.”
Rohr is yet to release the list of players he intends to prosecute the Super Eagles friendly games against Tunisia and Ivory Coast slated for next month.