The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on the Barea of Madagascar in their first 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match later today at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Having extensively analysed the goalkeeping Analyzed the goalkeeping department of the team, we shift our attention to the attacking department as we continue our countdown series.
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Nigeria will be without Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of the opening two qualifiers with a right adductor strain. That absence leaves Eric Chelle with a genuine puzzle at the top of his team, and two very different ways of solving it.
The Possible Front Three: Chemistry Over Form?
Eric Chelle must be wondering which players to start in his attacking department on Friday, considering all his available strikers are fit and ready.
Should he choose chemistry over current form, the trio of Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Lookman will likely get the nod ahead of the other attackers in a 4-3-3 formation.
Chukwueze and Lookman have been in the team together for four years, having broken into the Super Eagles set-up in 2018 and 2022 respectively. They have played alongside each other on many occasions and understand each other's movement.
They have built a solid chemistry that's expected to play a significant role during the game.
Though Akor Adams has only 15 caps with the team, he has equally built a solid chemistry with both wingers. He played alongside Ademola Lookman during the 2025 AFCON, scoring from a chance created by the Atlético Madrid star in Nigeria's 4-0 win over Mozambique in the round of 16. The trio combined repeatedly as they helped the team to a bronze-medal finish in Morocco.
Chukwueze would operate from the right flank, Lookman would play from his favoured left, while Akor Adams would shoulder the responsibility of converting the chances created by both wingers.
The downside to this setup is the players uninspiring form for their club. Lookman has managed just one goal and no assists for Atlético Madrid so far this season. Akor Adams has two for Venezia, while Chukwueze still hasn't sealed a permanent spot in Serie A under new manager Ruben Amorim.
Hence, chemistry alone may not be enough against a Madagascar side determined to frustrate Nigeria the way they did at the 2019 AFCON.
The Alternative: Form Over Familiarity
Should Eric Chelle fancy form over team chemistry and track record, in-form Al-Ittihad forward George Ilenikhena will be handed a full debut in front of the home crowd.
The Saudi-based striker would lead the attack, flanked by Lookman on the right and Samuel Chukwueze on the left.
Compared to Akor Adams' two goals for Venezia this season, Ilenikhena has found the back of the net four times and has assisted twice in six Saudi Pro League appearances for Al-Ittihad, making him one of the league's most talked-about strikers.
This option trades familiarity for firepower as Ilenikhena arrives with genuinely eye-catching numbers and a physical profile that many compare to Victor Osimhen.
Throwing him into the middle of a settled attack, rather than isolating him up front alone, could let him focus purely on finishing while Lookman and Chukwueze provide the service.
The risk, however, is that there is no guarantee his understanding with Lookman and Chukwueze is strong enough for a match of this magnitude.
Verdict: Which Setup Should Get the Nod?
Given that this is Nigeria's opening fixture of the qualifying campaign, played at home, and against opposition the Super Eagles are expected to beat comfortably, the safer route looks the more sensible one for Eric Chelle.
Starting Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Lookman gives Nigeria a front three that already knows how to play together. It also allows Chelle to introduce Ilenikhena in the second half where he could function effectively against a tiring defence.
That said, Eric Chelle won't be criticized for handing Ilenikhena an immediate start because his numbers this season are simply too good to ignore for long.
Either way, Chelle's selection on Friday will say a great deal about how he plans to replace Osimhen's goals over the course of this qualifying campaign.
Italoye Ibukun
