Montpellier and Nigeria striker Akor Adams, who has been one of the shining lights in Ligue 1 this season, is quietly making a case for himself ahead of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
Adams only joined Montpellier from Norwegian side Lillestrøm in the summer. The French side reportedly paid €4.50 million for Adams, who had joined Lillestrøm on a free transfer in January 2022 after leaving Sogndal.
The 23-year-old, who is the top-scoring Nigeria forward in the French top division with five goals, could be putting himself into the conversation ahead of the continental showpiece.
Akor Adams targets AFCON spot with Super Eagles
The Montpellier forward has revealed his desire to be a part of the Super Eagles squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria are one of the favourites to beat the rest of Africa to the continental title early next year, and the Kogi-born attacker is keen to be there.
“The target is simple – score more goals with my club before the end of the year that it will be impossible for the Super Eagles to continue to overlook me going into the AFCON,” Adams said.
The uncapped Nigerian player hopes he can continue his scoring form, in order to force his way into Peseiro’s plans ahead of the AFCON.
Can Akor Adams force his way into Peseiro’s plans?
Currently, the Super Eagles have one of the best firepower in attack across the continent and maybe even across world football.
With Akor Adams poised to join that list, it creates a headache for head coach Jose Peseiro before he names his selections for the AFCON.
Peseiro is expected not to pick more than six strikers on a list that already has Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Taiwo Awoniyi, Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu, Gift Orban, Sadiq Umar and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Among those listed above, barring any unforeseen injuries, Osimhen, Boniface, and Iheanacho will definitely make the trip to Cote d’Ivoire.
Realistically, Akor Adams is contending for a spot alongside the likes of Moffi, who is also plying his trade in Ligue 1 with Nice, Umar, and Gift Orban, who has gone cold in front of goal in recent weeks.
Like the player stated himself, he needs to keep scoring in order to get a look from the Portuguese manager.
However, there could be a window of opportunity in the next international window in November when the World Cup qualifiers are set to get underway.
Forwards Osimhen and Awoniyi are currently injured and the head coach might be looking for adequate replacements, creating an opportunity for Adams to be called upon.
Based on current form, he surely deserves a shout but it would be interesting to see if Jose Peseiro would make the bold decision to include the 23-year-old in his squad list.
Akor Adams stats in 2023 for Lillestrom and Montpellier
While in Norway, Akor Adams scored 17 goals in 17 games for Lillestrøm in 2023 before making the move to France.
Meanwhile, his move to French football has seen a decent return so far. The 23-year-old has scored five Ligue 1 goals in just 8 appearances, averaging a goal every 122 minutes.
Ligue 1 Gol Krallığı
8 – 🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappe
5 – 🇫🇷 Wissam Ben Yedder
5 – 🇳🇬 Akor Adams
5 – 🇪🇬 Mostafa Mohamed
4 – 🇷🇺 Aleksandr Golovin
4 – 🇫🇷 Nabil Alioui
4 – 🇲🇹 Teddy Teuma
3 – 🇲🇦 Zakaria Aboukhlal
3 – 🇨🇴 Deiver Machado
3 – 🇲🇦 Achraf Hakimi— FAM (@FAMerkezi) October 25, 2023
Only PSG forward Kylian Mbappe has scored more goals than the former flying Eagles star in the top division, and that is indeed something to brag about.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 days ago
