Yak, Obagoal, Nigeria’s best strikers - Amokachi

Stories by Tosin Omojola - 16.05.2008

Isaac Promise-led Dream Team IV pledges,
to excel without MikelWhen the new technical crew
of the Super Eagles line up the squad to prosecute the country’s World Cup/Nations Cup qualifiers in June, Nigerians should expect a twin strike force of Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins.

This was as a result of Super Eagles assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi’s declaration that the duo are the best pointmen the country can boast of at the moment .

The Bull, as Amokachi was fondly called during his playing days, while speaking on a local radio station, disclosed that the performances of the two players for their clubs in the English Premiership unarguably made them the best strikers Nigeria presently had.

Amokachi said the potency of both Aiyegbeni and Martins in front of goal was simply impressive as the goals played vital roles in the quest of both Everton and Newcastle United for honours in the English Premiership.

The former Super Eagles striker was particularly impressed with the performance of Yakubu, who emerged the highest scorer among the Nigerian players in England with 21 goals, a feat which the Bull said was fantastic.

"To me, I believe the best players to lead Nigeria’s attack are Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins, they were both impressive for their teams in the English premiership this season. “Yakubu did very well in scoring 21 goals for Everton which has contributed to the team`s qualification for the UEFA Cup next season and this is a good one for the player and for Nigeria," Amokachi stated.

He also described the performance of Obafemi Martins as excellent,stressing that the former Inter Milan of Italy forward was able to prove his mettle in the Newcastle side. Based on their performance, the former Everton striker rated the two players high, giving an indication that they may be the ones to lead the Eagles attack under the new technical crew headed by Amodu Shiabu.

However, Amokachi, making a general review of the Nigerian legion in England gave all the players passmark, saying, “they all did well for their varoius clubs.” Kanu Nwankwo was brilliant for Portsmouth, helping them to reach the FA Cup final alongside John Utaka. Yobo Joseph and Victor Anichebe were impressive for Everton, in fact, all the players were very impressive this season,"declared The Bull.