Sadiq, Boniface, Onuachu, Arokodare or Dessers: Who Is the Best Backup for Victor Osimhen in the Super Eagles?
Cyriel Dessers’ brilliant showing in Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Ghana in the Unity Cup has reignited a hot debate among Super Eagles fans: Who is the most reliable backup to Victor Osimhen?
For years, the Super Eagles have struggled to find a dependable second striker behind Osimhen. While the Galatasaray star remains Nigeria’s undisputed number one forward, scoring 26 goals in 41 matches, his absence often leaves the team looking blunt in attack. Several strikers have been tried, but none have fully convinced.
A Look at the Contenders
Victor Boniface has been excellent at club level, helping Bayer Leverkusen on several occasions, but has failed to replicate that form with the national team. In 12 appearances for Nigeria, Boniface often looks like a different player entirely when in the green and white.
Sadiq Umar, who has been part of the national setup for several years, has also struggled to make an impact. His playing time has been inconsistent, and when called upon, he has failed to take his chances convincingly.
Paul Onuachu, known for his height and aerial presence, has not quite fit into Nigeria’s playing style. Despite impressive goal-scoring records in Belgium and Turkey, his outings with the Super Eagles have been largely forgettable.
Tolu Arokodare, another towering striker, is still developing but hasn’t had enough consistent exposure at international level to be truly judged.
Then comes Cyriel Dessers.
The Dessers Difference
What separates Dessers from the rest is not just his form at club level—where he scored 29 goals and added 7 assists in 55 games for Rangers—but also his efficiency and impact in limited Super Eagles appearances.
Despite often being overlooked, Dessers has scored three goals in just four starts for Nigeria. His goal against Ghana in the Unity Cup semi-final marked the second time in just over a year that he has scored against the Black Stars—Nigeria’s fiercest rivals.
His supporters argue that Dessers has not been given enough opportunities. And based on the numbers, they may have a point. No other backup striker comes close to matching his goal-per-minute ratio for the national team.
Time for a Change?
Coach Eric Chelle is using the Unity Cup to assess his squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the next Africa Cup of Nations. Dessers’ performance should give the coaching staff something to seriously consider.
Nigeria’s backup striker role is too important to be handed out based on reputation or club success alone. It should go to the player who delivers when wearing the national colours.
And right now, based on current form, that player looks to be Cyriel Dessers.
