Which Nigerian striker will dominate in 2022?

It would not be out of place to suggest Nigeria is spoiled for choice when discussing goalscoring options. 

Nearly every squad announcement in the last year or so sparked discussions over who was left out, with Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis headlining such debates on social media. 

In a sense, the 28-player list for the imminent Africa Cup of Nations underscores the firepower available to any Super Eagles boss at the moment, with no less than six goalscoring options included, accounting for 21 percent of the group. 

With these frontmen bar Odion Ighalo all strikingly in their early-to-mid 20s, the future appears bright in that position for years to come. 

Thus, which marksmen should every Nigerian keep an eye on in 2022?

Victor Osimhen

Undoubtedly Nigeria’s top number nine, Osimhen shone for Napoli and the Super Eagles in 2021, ending his debut Serie A campaign strongly and often carrying the can for Gernot Rohr’s side before the Franco-German’s departure.

Intermittently slowed down by injury and illness this year, the passionate center-forward will hope to be healthy in the New Year to help Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, secure progress to Qatar 2022 and play a huge part in the Partenopei’s ambition to return to the Champions League.

Kelechi Iheanacho

‘Seniorman’ looked to be on his way out of Leicester City at the turn of the year but was to be a beneficiary of injuries to key forwards at the club.

Iheanacho’s exploits kept the Foxes in the top four hunt for as long as it lasted and he netted important goals as the East Midlands club picked up their first-ever FA Cup title at the backend of last season.

14 Premier League goals and six assists was a solid return in 2021 and the ex-Manchester City man will aim to get close to those numbers next year.

Emmanuel Dennis

It was a mixed year for Dennis who overcame a difficult loan spell with Cologne to thrive in the PL with Watford.

The Hornets frontman is one of Europe’s menacing goalscorers at the moment and it will be interesting to see if he sustains this form as Claudio Ranieri’s team look to avoid relegation.

Taiwo Awoniyi

Awoniyi has, in the first half of 2021/22, surpassed his entire Bundesliga tally from two campaigns combined, scoring nine times so far in 17 appearances for Union Berlin.

Like Dennis, the form he has shown this term has earned him a Super Eagles berth at Afcon, and he adds to the firepower for the West African giants.

Having said that, a continuation of his largely reliable goalscoring form will make or mar his 2022.

Paul Onuachu

Onuachu’s injury has ruled him out of AFCON, but it was a good year for the Genk forward in the main.

It would be remiss to ignore the form he showed last term which ended with 33 top flight goals and, while a lull in the autumn thwarted the Smurfs’ Europa League campaign, the towering frontman has still netted 12 league goals this season in 15 starts (18 games altogether).

With the emergence of even more prolific frontmen, Onuachu’s Nigeria fate in 2022 will rest on his performances in front of goal.

Terem Moffi

While a significant drop off at Lorient this season has seen some of the hype around Moffi dip heading into the New Year, 12 Ligue 1 goals from January to May cannot be played down.

Underlying numbers per FBref show that the center-forward is underperforming his expected goals by 4.8, so far making him the worst finisher statistically in Europe’s big five leagues.

However, last season demonstrated Moffi’s ability to flourish after an underwhelming few months (12 of his 14 strikes in 20/21 came in 2021) and a similar response in 2022 will be just what the doctor ordered.

Sadiq Umar

Umar scored a staggering 22 league goals for Almeria in 2021 and the 24-year-old’s form finally earned him a Nigeria call-up for next year’s Afcon.

In truth, it has been a long time coming for the Olympic Games bronze medalist who is likely to make his Super Eagles debut in Cameroon almost a year after his first call-up in March 2021.

With Almeria chasing promotion to La Liga, Umar’s rising stock could go through the roof in 2022 if the Andalusians regain promotion after seven years away in La Liga 2.