Why Osimhen and Onuachu can’t start side-by-side for Super Eagles

Nigeria has two very fine strikers in Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu when it comes to leading the attack for the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.

Osimhen and Onuachu have been in strong form for their clubs, with the Galatasaray star coming off a dominant 26-goal league season in Turkey and the former Trabzonspor star starting the new campaign brightly with seven goals in his opening ten league matches for Trabzonspor.

Despite these qualities, the conversation keeps returning to the fact that the two Super Eagles attackers are not a natural strike partnership.

Their strengths, rather than complementing each other, place them in direct competition for one role as Nigeria's style of play permits.

The two have been tested side-by-side on several occasions, particularly under the guidance of Jose Peseiro, but against Guinea-Bissau at the MKO Abiola Stadium, it was flawed.

Osimhen & Onuachu: Different Styles, Different Strengths

Osimhen’s recent season in Istanbul was spectacular. In the 2024-25 campaign, he scored 26 league goals in 30 matches for Galatasaray.

He is the kind of striker who presses, runs behind defences, and gets chances often. Onuachu, meanwhile, offers something more classic. With his towering height, he is a target man.

For the 2025-26 season so far, he has seven goals in 10 appearances, with a goal involvement (goals + assists) of about 0.84 per 90 minutes.

He doesn’t need to run 50 meters every play. He waits in the right place and often converts the chance when it comes.

Why can’t both start together for the Super Eagles?

If both are in the starting XI, tactical issues emerge. Osimhen and Onuachu thrive when they receive solid service in the box. Long crosses, set pieces, structured build-up.

Putting both in means you either slow down Osimhen’s game or ask Onuachu to play a part he’s not built for.

Further, both naturally want the same central position. In modern football, a national team usually benefits from one striker who is the target man and supported by players around him—trying to fit two dominant center forwards often leads to overlapping roles and wasted space.

Should Eric Chelle Invite Onuachu?

Onuachu have been impressive for Trabzonspor thus far. He currently leads Nigeria's chart for the highest goal scorers in the top 10 leagues in the world.

So, ahead of any other backup player for the former Napoli forward, Onuachu tops the list.