Super Eagles Coaches experimented all of last year with practically every player invited as strikers to the team, and for all their trouble the Country did not only miss out another Continental competition – Nigeria has a failed to qualify for the AFCON 6 times since 1963- but this era exposed the team that had only just returned from the World Cup for the mediocre squad it was.

Some may chose to lay all the blame on the Coach, other cluster the Football Federation and all else, holding them responsible for the huge lump that has seen the champions of the skies crash to beneath the football food chain.

The aftermath of that inevitable plunge and consequence we could argue is the bashing the team suffered on all fronts since the turn of the year; no thanks to our scientific administrators in the glass house.

Simple scientific theory helps us understand how within a certain degree of heat intensity , glass will melt. But hopefully the Pinnick-led board understand this much as they globe trot, shaking hands and posing with every major profile in the industry.

All that happy-go-lucky feeling will amount to naught should this experimentation continue or even degenerate. Without a doubt by then it would be demanded of this eccentric football administrator and his lieutenants to reconsider much about their policies- Keshi inclusive.

Back to the team and it would suffice to say, the test driving with the Super Eagles must come to a definite conclusion especially with the striker’s position and how poorly the 3-time African champions have coped in that department of the team.

Since 2014 through to 2015 the main Eagles team were involved in 16 International matches; including friendlies and competitive matches. A total of 10 different goal scorers contributed to a meager 16 goals scored and only 6 of those resulted to wins (3).

Ahmed Musa proved to be Nigeria’s most effective (5); though he plays wide and Aaron Samuel was the only striker to come close (2).

Without a doubt this speaks volume of the quality of the ‘goal poachers’ invited to try on the National colors , earn match bonuses and some International cap for future purposes- and a number of them including Odion Ighalo, Anthony Ujah, Ike Uche were invited or re-invited to bring some viciousness about the predator bird.


Osaze and Emenike celebrate during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile it might have been in good conscience, back in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Stephen Keshi offered green passes to 33-year-old Shola Ameobi and Osaze Odemwingie; the latter gave delivered the round of 16 ticket against Bosnia, but elsewhere there was one or more Nigerians who would have made the cut of any serious nation that sought more than just participation money in Brazil.

That same year, Obafemi Martin was in the MLS and had helped his side to cup glory scoring 17 goals in that League campaign; more league goals than that by any striker Keshi took to the World Cup.

In similar sleek fashion, the former Inter Milan marksman has kicked off the new season with more than a few breathtaking performances, goals and his signature goal celebration, all testament that the 30-year-old’s still a crowd-pleaser.

Certainly, the Eagles needs some rebuilding and every experienced hand will be required on board especially as the 2017 AFCON qualifiers draw near.

Who will you prefer as the new Super Eagles top striker?