Better than Osimhen? The numbers behind Akor Adams' Super Eagles breakthrough Nigerians must know

While Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman grabbed headlines for their touchline spat during Nigeria's 4-0 destruction of Mozambique, another real story, after Alex Iwobi’s midfield masterclass, was unfolding through Akor Adams - a striker whose numbers are quietly rewriting Super Eagles history.

Eight caps. Three goals. Two assists. Five direct goal contributions in eight appearances for Nigeria since his October 2025 debut.

That's a goal involvement every 1.6 matches - an efficiency rate that surpasses every other forward in Eric Chelle's squad, including the much-celebrated Osimhen. 

And it's a record that's caught the attention of Nigerian legend Sunday Oliseh, who delivered the ultimate seal of approval after watching Adams thunder home Nigeria's third goal against Mozambique.

"For a man who loves to shoot like myself," Oliseh declared from the commentary box, "world class."

Coming from a midfielder whose long-range strikes remain legendary in Nigerian football, those two words carry serious weight.

Adams' display against Mozambique wasn't just about goals - it was a masterclass in modern forward play that left analysts scrambling for superlatives.

The numbers paint a picture of total dominance: one goal, two assists, nine touches in the opposition box (joint-highest with Lookman), three key passes, three chances created, three completed dribbles, two tackles, and two big chances created.

This wasn't a traditional target man waiting for service. This was a complete striker dictating the entire attacking phase.

His first assist came in the 20th minute when Alex Iwobi's through-ball found him with a defender draped across his back. Adams shielded the ball with his imposing 6-foot-3 frame, then delivered a precise cut-back for Lookman's opener.

Five minutes later, he exploited space on the right flank, whipping a low cross into the danger zone that allowed Osimhen to tap home for 2-0. Two assists in five minutes, both requiring technical quality that contradicts every stereotype about big strikers.

His reward arrived in the 75th minute when Lookman returned the favor. Adams steadied himself as defenders rushed in, then unleashed a strike into the roof of the net that gave the goalkeeper no chance - his first AFCON goal scored with typical ruthlessness.

Adams' journey to this moment reads like a blueprint for African strikers taking the road less travelled to European success.

Born in Benue State and raised in Minna, his football education began at Jamba Football Academy in Kaduna - the same breeding ground that produced Victor Boniface and Gift Orban. 

Like them, Adams chose the Scandinavian route, joining Sogndal in Norway in 2018 when bigger leagues weren't calling.

At Lillestrom SK between 2022-2023, he exploded with 28 goals in 50 games, using his imposing frame to terrorise defences and earning comparisons to a young Erling Haaland.

Montpellier paid €4 million for his services in August 2023, and Adams announced himself in Ligue 1 with two goals on debut. His hold-up play and ability to bring wingers into the game made him one of France's most efficient target men.

Then came the move that changed everything. Sevilla paid €5.5 million in January 2025, handing him the prestigious number 9 jersey. A late winner against Barcelona in September 2025 made him a legend at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and put him on Nigeria's radar.

Despite representing Nigeria at the 2019 U-20 World Cup, Adams had to wait until October 2025 for his senior call-up. He scored on debut against Lesotho and hasn't looked back since.

For months, Nigerian football circles debated who should partner Osimhen up front. The question assumed Osimhen was the undisputed starter, the guaranteed name on the team sheet.

Adams' eight-game body of work has reframed the entire conversation. With three goals and two assists in eight caps, he's not just a partner for Osimhen - he's a legitimate alternative whose efficiency rate suggests Nigeria might be more dangerous when he starts.

His playing style breaks the traditional target man mold. Yes, he's elite at receiving the ball with his back to goal and his aerial dominance ranks among Europe's best. 

But Adams also presses relentlessly, forcing errors and disrupting opposition buildup in ways that set the tone for Nigeria's high-energy approach.

Watch how Lookman and others attack with Adams on the pitch. They receive the ball in better positions because his movement manipulates defensive structures, creating space for Nigeria's creative players to flourish.

Eric Chelle has found something previous Super Eagles coaches spent years searching for: a striker who makes everyone better while delivering his own production. The kind of player whose absence would be felt immediately but whose presence is often taken for granted.

While Nigeria Super Eagles prepare for the quarterfinal clash against Algeria, Adams' record speaks for itself. Eight caps, five direct goal contributions, zero wasted opportunities.

The debate over Nigeria's best striker isn't about choosing between Osimhen and Adams anymore - it's about maximising both. But if efficiency is the measure and production is the priority, the numbers tell a clear story.

Akor Adams has been Nigeria's most dangerous forward since pulling on the green and white. And with Sunday Oliseh's "world class" endorsement ringing in his ears, the Sevilla striker is just getting started.