Why Eguavoen must continue Awoniyi-Iheanacho partnership – Agali

Victor Agali has given reasons he his convinced Taiwo Awoniy and Kelechi Iheanacho partnership is the way for Nigeria at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

Interim coach Augustine Eguavoen opted for a traditional 4-4-2 formation where the former Liverpool and Manchester City strikers played as Nigeria’s front two.

Taiwo Awoniyi combined to set up Kelechi Iheanacho for Nigeria’s only goal in the win against Egypt on matchday one and Agali is convinced that Eagles must continue that way.

The former Schalke 04 and Hansa Rostock striker broke down why he was certain the partnership should remain until the end of the tournament.

“Iheanacho is not someone you want to play as a point man, said Agali while speaking on ‘No Holds Barred’ on Brila FM.

“So it’s better to have him support someone and Awoniyi coming with his form from the Bundesliga, and after missing Osimhen, it’s better to leave Awoniyi and have Iheanacho roam around him and that has happened.

“Iheanacho is someone that can drop in the midfield and looking at the formation against Egypt we played a classical 4-4-2 where we had Aribo and Ndidi in the middle, Iheanacho was like a pyramid in front and support the guys behind.

“So it worked for us because we were very aggressive and we controlled the game so I expect the coach to maintain that.”

Taiwo Awoniyi was impressive in Super Eagles win against Pharaohs of Egypt he was unlucky not to be on the scorers sheet but he gave a good account of himself.

While Seniorman Kelz scored the winning goal.

Both players led Nigeria’s Golden Eaglet to the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup title  with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring 6 and Taiwo Awoniyi scoring 4.