Former Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi was one of the players who benefited from a decision by the Confederation of African Football to permit countries to name up to twenty eight players in the squad list for the 2021 Africa cup of Nations.

Before the decision was taken by the controlling body for African Football, the Union Berlin star was behind Victor Osimhen, Odion Ighalo and Paul Onuachu in the pecking order of center forwards.

At club level, Awoniyi was in fine form going into the tournament in Cameroon, notching up fourteen goals in all competitions including nine in the German Bundesliga.

The 2013 U17 World Cup winner has been used as the focal point in the Super Eagles attack in the training sessions before their opening game versus Egypt on Tuesday evening.

Awoniyi has highlighted that the main quality that makes him a good striker is his physicality.

Asked to reveal his main strength, he told NFF TV : "For me I'd say my strength is the power that I put into my game, the fighting spirit in me and the willingness you can always go as far as you want to go. I think that's my own greatest strength as an individual.

"In terms of football my strength is all about helping my teammates because once I do all those dirty jobs that is when my own finishing aspect will come into play.

"That is what I learnt from my present coach now in Union Berlin, he always tells me what you need is to keep on working, the moment you work for sure you chance will come, and I think that's my greatest strength as a player."

Awoniyi was teammates with Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and Francis Uzoho at U17 level and has represented the national teams at the U20 and U23 AFCONs in the past.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel