Can Chukwueze and Osimhen thrive together for the Super Eagles?

Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen are two of the best Nigerian forwards in Europe at the moment.

Chukwueze has 13 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for Villareal, while Osimhen has 25 goals and 5 assists for Napoli.
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The duo played together for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers' two-legged tie against Guinea-Bissau last month and there was no evidence of understanding between them.
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On several occasions, Chukwueze would pass up the opportunity to play on Osimhen, who would have made a surging run and the latter would not hide his frustration anytime that had happened.
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These instances led some football-loving Nigerians to conclude that Chukwueze and Osimhen cannot thrive together  for the Super Eagles. This is an assertion I find ridiculous.
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Firstly, one of the reasons why two forwards cannot play together for a team is when they have a similar playing style which doesn't apply to Osimhen and Chukwueze.
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The Napoli forward is a striker who likes to run the channel, trouble centre-backs so there will be room for his teammates to cause havoc and be at the end of chances.
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Chukwueze, on the other hand, is a winger who likes to take on opposition defenders, cutting to his stronger left foot before shooting or passing the ball to an opponent in a dangerous position.

The reason why both of them could not work together at the last set of matches was the lack of understanding between them and poor decision-making from Chukwueze at times.

A reference to Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia not missing the opportunity to play on Osimhen holds no water because both play with each other more regularly.
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The last time Chukwueze and Osimhen played together before the last international break was a year ago, and with them not having ample time to train together, it is unsurprising that there is no synergy between them.
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If both stay fit and play in consecutive matches together, the understanding between them will grow.

Chukwueze and Osimhen are two of Nigeria's attacking outlets at the moment and Jose Peseiro must find a way to get both of them to understand each other and cause havoc to opponents.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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