Super Eagles forward, Taiwo Awoniyi has cleared the air as to whether there’s competition amongst strikers in the national team, npflupdates.com reports.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria is studded with top performing strikers in world football. With the likes of Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Gift Orban and Samuel Chukwueze all invited for the AFCON qualifier fixture.
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And one would wonder who amongst the strikers will make the starting eleven since all players are in top form. New invitees Boniface and Gift have scored four and two league games respectively for their various clubs. Meanwhile, Osimhen is on three goals in three matches for SSC Napoli this campaign.
Speculations spread last week following the release of the squad list for the dead-rubber AFCON qualifier against Sao-Tome-and-Principe. Per speculations, the forwards will likely compete for starting shirt when the play on Sunday in Uyo.
But in an interview with Pulse Sports, Taiwo Awoniyi has confirmed he is not competing with any player. According to him, all the invited players are good and deserved a shirt in the starting line up.
Taiwo Awoniyi denies competing with any Super Eagles player
“People might read different things into it, but I’ll try to be as honest as I can. When it comes to the Super Eagles, I have never personally seen this place as a competition between me and my colleague,” he said.
In his words, the Super Eagles is just a place where citizens come together to represent the country.
“I see the Super Eagles as a place where we all come to represent the country. And the joy of it is to make the country proud irrespective of who is wearing the shirt. I just believe you do your part as a player, work hard as much as you can and you’ll have your chance.”
Speaking further his opinion, the Nottingham Forest’s forward believes “everyone can wear the shirt of the Super Eagles once they are here.”
And ,”every player wants to be in the Super Eagles, but look at the amount of strikers that we have. They also deserve to be there; they are also good players. It’s just a matter of the decision from the coach, who he wants to be there.”
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He added, “but, whenever I’m here, I’ve never seen it as a competition, to be honest. Let me come in, do the best for my country and make the country proud. If I’m given the opportunity, I’ll do all I can. But I don’t see it as a place where I’m coming to fight for a shirt.”
Nigeria will complete it’s 2024 AFCON qualifier games against Sao Tome and Principe on Sunday. The three-time African champions have already qualified for the tournament that will hold in Ivory Coast next year.
