Bully and Fight: Ighalo Breaks Down Osimhen and Akor Adams Styles

Former Super Eagles captain and striker Odion Ighalo has offered a detailed tactical breakdown of what makes Nigeria’s current attacking duo, Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams, so effective yet distinct. Speaking as an analyst on SuperSport on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Ighalo highlighted the contrasting physical and technical attributes the two forwards bring to the national team. His comments follow a masterclass performance by the pair in Nigeria’s 4-0 thumping of Mozambique, where both players found the back of the net to secure a quarter-final spot in the ongoing AFCON.

Ighalo, who famously won the AFCON Golden Boot in 2019, noted that while both players possess immense goal-scoring instincts, Osimhen’s game is defined by a high-intensity “bullying” style. “Victor is a different kind of striker to Akor,” Ighalo explained, pointing out that Osimhen’s primary weapon is his relentless aggression. According to the former Manchester United man, the Galatasaray star thrives in the “fight” of the game, consistently harassing defenders and using his physical strength to impose his will on the opposition’s backline.

In contrast, Ighalo described Akor Adams as a striker who brings a different tactical dimension to the Super Eagles’ front line. While Adams provided two assists and a goal during the Mozambique rout, Ighalo observed that his game is less about the “bully” tactics and more about positioning and speed. “Not every striker has speed,” Ighalo noted, suggesting that Adams offers a more direct, pace-oriented threat that complements Osimhen’s hold-up play and combative nature. This duality has turned the Super Eagles into the highest-scoring team of the tournament so far.

The veteran striker was particularly impressed with how Osimhen manages to turn every half-chance into a battle. “Every time, he always tries to fight, and when he gets the chance, he shoots,” Ighalo said, praising the “hunger” that has seen Osimhen move within three goals of Rashidi Yekini’s all-time Nigeria scoring record. Ighalo believes that having two strikers with such varying profiles makes the Super Eagles nearly impossible to defend against, as opponents cannot settle into a single defensive rhythm.

The partnership between the 27-year-old Osimhen and the 25-year-old Sevilla striker Adams has been the talk of the tournament in Morocco. Despite a minor on-field disagreement between Osimhen and Ademola Lookman during the last match, Ighalo insisted that the “fire” in the attack is exactly what Nigeria needs to claim a fourth continental title. For Ighalo, the key is for Osimhen to continue his “bully” role while Adams exploits the spaces created by the chaos, a formula he believes will be vital for the upcoming quarter-final against either Algeria or DR Congo.