'Aboubakar is on top scoring goals' - Eguavoen insists Ighalo, Osimhen absence won't hinder Eagles

Augustine Eguavoen has insisted that the absence of Odion Ighalo and Victor Osimhen won't hinder the progress of the Super Eagles at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

Ighalo and Osimhen were initially named in Nigeria's finalized squad list for the tournament in Cameroon but the latter had to withdraw from the roster after testing positive for coronavirus and missing a scheduled medical checkup while the former Manchester United man was not released by his Saudi Arabian club.

Cameroon skipper Vincent Aboubakar has been the player of the tournament so far, scoring four goals in the first two matches played by the Indomitable Lions.

Eguavoen noted that the Super Eagles team is not built around one player, adding that they can score goals with the collective effort of the players.

Osimhen was the top scorer during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with five goals, same number Ighalo finished with to win the Golden Boot award at the last AFCON.

Asked if the absence of Ighalo and Osimhen would be a hindrance to the success of the team, Eguavoen said at the pre-match press conference : "In terms of scoring goals I don't know what the Cameroonian strategy is.

"Aboubakar is on top now scoring goals and I always believe that we are not going to build our team around one person scoring goals, that's why we try to assist one another.

"If you are not in a good position assist your teammate because the win is for everyone and if you have an opportunity to score goals why not.

"We are not looking to one person to be a point man, it's a collective effort."

Leicester City star Kelechi Iheanacho netted the only goal in Nigeria's AFCON opener against Egypt, assisted by box-to-box midfielder Joe Aribo.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel