Is This The Tournament That Will See Paul Onuachu Finally Win Over Hearts and Minds?

Paul Onuachu, a striker scorned by many a Super Eagle fan, appears to have seen support from the side of the supervisor of this team, Eric Chelle.

If the substitution pattern of the curtain raiser against Tanzania is anything to go by, the Turkey-based beanpole batter is behind only Akor Adams and Victor the vivacious Osihmen in the pecking order.

"Nigeria is a big country, and Tunisia is also a football nation, but I think we have the players and squad to take it to the next level," Onuachu was quoted as saying after the Tanzania tussle that ended 1:0.

Next level, fans want nothing more than Onuachu to take his own game to the next level.

The general consensus from a cross-section of the media was that he produced a professional performance against Egypt in the warm-up exercise.

But this tournament is the real deal. Even though he is only afforded a few minutes here and there in tournaments, Onuachu has to start making those minutes memorable.

I don't think he is a poor striker in international football; international football is a beast unto itself. and Onuachu needs to deliver a performance with that sort of attacking charm to suit the savage breast.

He needs to be savage with every touch, savage in his aggression, and savage in his desire to make a statement with an approach that screams out class and quality.

Even when Akor Adams is not scoring, his crosses, long balls, low drives, movements, and all-around composure on the ball are akin to listening to and watching the Akure Philharmonic Orchestra perform a Mozart tune inside the Adamasingba Stadium Complex in front of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, his wife and her cicisbeo.

I just feel Onuachu has to inject that bit of poise and panache to his presentation. Only then will he be able to take his game to the next level, able to win over hitherto stubborn hearts and minds.