Former Super Eagles forward Daniel Amokachi has likened Paul Onuachu to late Rashidi Yekini due to his physical presence in the 18-yard box and ability to convert goal-scoring chances.
Onuachu made his debut for the senior national team in Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Egypt in an international friendly and scoring a volley inside 10 seconds of play on 26 March 2019.
The Imo state born striker scored Nigeria’s only goal against Benin in Porto Novo before netting another one against Lesotho at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on Tuesday.
Reacting to his performance, Amokachi in a chat with a Lagos-based radio station said that Onuachu has the potential to fit into Yekini’s shoes.
“When I saw his goal against Lesotho it reminded me so much of Yekini, to be honest,” said Amokachi.
“The way he executed that strike was exactly how ‘Egbon’ Yekini would have done it. When I look at Onuachu and how he plays inside the box, it’s the closest quality we’ve seen since Rashidi Yekini.”
However, the 26-year-old was initially overlooked and placed on standby by Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers despite his incredible form for his Belgium club Genk, where he has scored 26 goals so far this season.
Yekini was capped 58 times by the national team and scored 37 goals.
He won the African Footballer of the Year award in 1993 and helped Nigeria secure her second AFCON title in 1994.
With Onuachu touted as a possible successor of the late legendary goal king, expectations will continue to swirl around the Genk forward to fit into Yekini’s boots.
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