Who Is Better To Fill Emenike’s Boots? Between Eneramo And Akpala

[Folami David]

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi returned to the country during the week announcing he will be choosing a replacement for injured striker, Emmanuel Emenike, from amongst the duo of Turkey-based Michael Eneramo of Sivasspor and Germany-based Joseph Akpala of Werder Bremen ahead of Nigeria's upcoming matches. Everton of England forward, Victor Anichebe was initially considered (and rightly too considering his power- playing style similar to Emenike) as the most suitable candidate but the Toffees striker opted to be left out of the scheme of things for the time being.
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While it gladdens the heart that the Big Boss again demonstrated that he is abreast of top Nigerian players plying their trades abroad, the Eagles gaffer must pick the most suitable of the two Eagles fringe stars who can hit the ground running for the national team without any sentiments. Emenike, has suddenly transformed to being the Eagles' first choice striker, after his superlative display at the last Nations Cup in South Africa where he emerged as the highest goalscorer with 4 goals despite missing the final game through injury.
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Without mincing words and without trying to teach Keshi his job, Eneramo appears to have the edge in filling Emenike's void rather than Akpala considering the current statistics of both strikers who have been neglected for quite a while by national team selectors.
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Eneramo has played 29 league games scoring 11 goals as at today in Turkey while Akpalla, who is in his first season at Bremen after switching from Club Brugge in Belgium, is just stabilizing in the Bundesliga which accounts for his 1 goal in 19 games. Besides, Eneramo is also a more robust and physical striker (like Emenike) while Akpalla is better in terms of pace and skills. However, last season's data revealed both ended with 15 league goals apiece.