Football
Colin Udoh, Special to ESPN 6y

Red-hot Henry Onyekuru ready for his Nigeria close up

Missing the 2018 FIFA World Cup through injury may have come as a body blow to Nigeria forward Henry Onyekuru, but the extra rest may have been the tonic needed to reinvigorate the 21-year-old.

On Monday, for the second time in as many games, Onyekuru was on the scoresheet for Galatasaray. The forward was in the right place at the right time to fire home the fifth goal as the Turkish giants claimed a 6-0 win over Alanyaspor.

Just three games into the season, and the Everton loanee is once again looking the business, and it comes as no surprise. In four pre-season games after his return from his knee injury, he also scored twice.

Bagging goals seems to come naturally to the Aspire Academy graduate, but it is more than his goals that make him such a potent weapon. He is quick enough to get in behind defences, skilled enough to trick his way past them, and finishes with expert technical ability that belies his years.

With Nigeria getting ready to face Seychelles in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier early next month, Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr will be more than pleased to see one of his call-ups in such fine form.

The loss of now-retired Victor Moses is a massive blow for the Super Eagles, who have come to depend on the Chelsea man to unlock the sort of stubborn defending that African teams regularly set up, especially against the Nigerians.

Onyekuru is one of two new players, along with Samuel Kalu, hoping to fill the void left by the Chelsea star, in what should be a compelling and fascinating battle. Centre forward he may be, but Onyekuru can also be an explosive force from wide, although with less of the defensive qualities of Moses.

Nigeria's goalscoring limitations were laid bare at this year's World Cup. Onyekuru offers a viable central striking alternative, one with as much blazing pace as Ahmed Musa, and well-rested and in excellent early season form.

In addition, he comes highly motivated. Although he made his debut in an unofficial friendly against Togo, which Nigeria won 3-0 in June of 2017, Onyekuru was left out of the match day squad for the very next game, the home loss to South Africa in round one of the Afcon qualifiers.

His exclusion from that game left many, probably including the striker himself, perplexed. And when he did get another opportunity, it was a 20-minute cameo against Algeria in the final 2018 World Cup qualifying game.

The World Cup was to be his chance to shine, but his misfortune contnued, as injury struck, putting the final nail in a bad season.

Returning to the Super Eagles amidst the clamour for new and fresh striking options, Onyekuru will not have a better opportunity to worm his way into the starting XI, and into the hearts of Nigerian football fans.

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