Nigeria striker, Brown Ideye, has declared that his strike partner at the Afcon, Emmanuel Emenike, will be missed as they face Kenya in Calabar on Saturday.
.
The 24-year-old formed a deadly bond up front with the Spartak Moscow forward which helped Nigeria's Super Eagles win a third Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in February.
.
But Emenike is currently out injured and misses out of the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifying against the Harambee Stars of Kenya.
.
Ideye said he had built a "good relationship" with Emenike off the pitch leading to their telepathic performance for Nigeria at the Afcon.
.
The ex-Ocean Boys' man is however prepared to play up front with any other striker should he be selected for the game against Kenya.
.
"I played with him, he's a great player. I built a good relationship with him outside of the pitch and it helped us a lot. Apart from playing on the pitch you have to have a close relationship with other players to help team spirit so that it will rub off on the team in matches.
.
"I'll really miss him (for his style of play) but I just have to work with whoever the coach picks to play with me," said Ideye.
.
Seattle Sounders forward, Obafemi Martins, who has similar power-playing style with Emenike, might start up front with Ideye.
.
Also, Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih attacking midfielder,
.
Babatunde Michael, is available for selection and has same bulldozing quality. Ideye has played 12 times for the Nigerian national team and scored two goals.
They had no excuse to make Nigerians panic on Saturday last week I expected a thrashing from them but Kenya almost won the game.