The position of Gernot Rohr first choice striker Odion Ighalo will for the first time come under scrutiny if Isaac Success lives up to the reputation that once made him one of the best young forwards in the LaLiga.
Success was handed a recall by Rohr after forcing his way into the squad of Watford this season upon his return from a loan spell with Malaga during the second half of last season , where he couldn’t save the club from relegation.
A forward in the mould of Ighalo in terms of physical abilities, the Watford forward is however more clinical, technical and quicker than the Chanchung Yatai forward who has just four goals in four years for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Rohr has experimented with the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho and Simy Nwankwo in attack but none of the players mentioned above gave his team the required balance in his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
That means Ighalo continued in his role as the lone striker of the team but Success has proven this season in England that he can also thrive in same role if given the chance.
Now a lot fitter than when he made his debut for the Nigeria national team a little over a year ago in an international friendly against Senegal, he will be keen to start ahead of Ighalo who was once upon a time his teammate at Watford before his move to China, where he has 20 goals this season.
Osas Mahawi
