With the expected absence of first-choice striker, Victor Osimhen, from next month’s AFCON in Cameroon, the battle for a spot in the squad has become fiercer and Watford’s forward, Emmanuel Dennis, appears to have thrown his hat into the ring.
Dennis, a Super Eagles fringe player, maintained his remarkable run on Wednesday when he scored Watford’s goal in their 2-1 Premier League loss to Chelsea.
It was his fourth goal in the last five games and now presents the Super Eagles manager with a tough choice to make in the attacking positions with the presence of Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Terem Moffi, Simy Nwankwo et al.
Dennis has now scored in three consecutive games, bringing his Premier League tally to six in 12 appearances this season.
The former Club Brugge attacker was a headache for Chelsea, who took the lead via Mason Mount following a Kai Havertz square pass into his path in the 18-yard area, which he converted expertly.
Dennis, a thorn in the flesh of the Chelsea defense with his tireless running and industriousness, equalized in the 43rd minute when he took a pass from Moussa Sissoko, waltzed towards the goal area, and then unleashed a shot that had a generous helping of a deflection before beating Chelsea goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.
In first-half stoppage time, the Nigerian goalscorer also drew a foul from Marcos Alonzo, earning the Spaniard a yellow card.
Dennis, who played all 90 minutes alongside Super Eagles teammate, William Troost-Ekong, appears to have found a fresh lease on life under Claudio Ranieri.
