Ahmed Musa
Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations winner Isaac Semitoje believes England-based Odion Ighalo and Russia-based Ahmed Musa have the work-rate and attacking prowess to help Nigeria qualify for the Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and guide them to the title.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea after the side’s indifferent performances in the qualifiers.
Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh’s plans for the fixture against Egypt in March next year was dealt a major blow following first choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and striker Emmanuel Emenike’s retirement from international football this month.And the three-time African champions trail record seven-time champions Egypt by two points in Group G after two qualifying encounters. The Pharaohs have picked up six points from their victories over Tanzania and Chad. The Eagles, who are second in the group, have four points after beating Chad 2-0 in Kaduna and battling a to a goalless draw against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.
But former Nigeria defender Semitoje, who expressed his displeasure with the players’ decisions to bring down the curtain on their international careers, said Oliseh should get the best out of on-form Watford striker Ighalo and CSKA Moscow attacker Musa.
“We will miss both players (Enyeama and Emenike) but it’s not the end of the world,” the Algiers ’90 Africa Cup of Nations silver medallist told our correspondent on the telephone from his base in Denmark.
“The Eagles need a creative midfielder to win games and Oliseh should get us one if he wants to succeed.
“With a creative midfielder, Ighalo and Musa will get supplies to score plenty of goals. We also have Victor Moses, who is a pacey player. With them, we can win the next Africa Cup of Nations.
“Ighalo is good striker. He has not disappointed in the games he played for the national team.
“He’s currently one of the best strikers in the Premier League. He just needs to believe in himself and be serious about his game.
“We have yet to have a replacement for Rashidi Yekini (deceased). I think Ighalo can step into his shoes if he’s consistent.
“Each time Yekini got the ball in the in the strike zone, we believed he would score a goal for us.
“Daniel Amokachi and Samson Siasia were also good strikers. Ighalo can be the new Yekini with self-belief and confidence.
“Oliseh should talk to him. With Musa and Moses on the wings, Ighalo can score plenty of goals for the Eagles.”
The former Iwuanyanwu Nationale captain, who coaches a youth side in Denmark, urged the Eagles to play the game against Egypt like a cup final.
He said the team should aim to beat the Pharaohs home and away. But Semitoje warned the 1980, 1994 and 2013 continental champions not to underestimate Chad and Tanzania in their reverse fixtures.
All Credits: PUNCH
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