Bournemouth Academy Product Flies To Turkey To Join Nigeria U17s; 21-Player List Unveiled


Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Bournemouth Academy product Joseph Oluwabusola is in line to play for the Golden Eaglets at the UEFA/CAF U17 International Tournament.
The 2003-born player flew to Turkey on Friday and was accompanied by his father. As previously reported by this website, Oluwabusola was previously excused from the Nigeria U17s camp because of his educational commitments back in the United Kingdom. He is in direct competition with Sunday Stephen and Suleiman Shaibu for the
goalkeeping position and expected to have
more competition, with West Ham's Daniel
Jinadu set to resume training with the Golden
Eaglets when they return from Turkey.

The Golden Eaglets UEFA/CAF U17 International Tournament squad is dominated by players who were in Tanzania for the 2019 U17 AFCON.

Samson Tijani, Akinkunmi Amoo, Fawaz Abdullahi, Wisdom Ubani and Divine
Nwachukwu are among the familiar names
in the Golden Eaglets 21-man squad list.

Nigeria U17s will face hosts Turkey (Sept 22), Guatemala (Sept 24) and Senegal (Sept 26) in Group 1 of the World Cup preparation tournament.

Nigeria U17 21-Man Squad For UEFA/CAF Tourney

Goalkeepers: Joseph Oluwabusola; Sunday Stephen; Suleiman Shaibu

Defenders: Shedrack Tanko; Ikenna Ferdinand; Usman Mohammed; Charles Etim; David Oduko

Midfielders: Samson Tijani; Mubaraq Adeshina; Shuaibu Abdulrazaq; Akinkunmi Amoo; Olatomi Olaniyan; Peter Agba; Ibraheem Jabaar; Fawaz Abdullahi; Suleiman Lawal

Forwards: Olakunle Olusegun; Mayowa Abayomi; Wisdom Ubani; Divine Nwachukwu

**Ifeanyi Emmanuel


Source: ANS

UEFA ASSIST Turkey 0 Nigeria 2 : Olusegun, Nwachukwu Score; How They Lined Up

The Golden Eaglets began the UEFA U17 International Tournament with a well deserved 2-0 win against hosts Turkey at the TFF Hasan Doğan National Teams Camp and Training Facilities on Sunday afternoon.

Coach Manu Garba opted to start Sunday Stephen in goal and he was protected by a back four containing Shedrack Tanko, Ikenna Ferdinand, David Oduko and Etim Charles.

Samson Tijani, Amoo Akinkunmi, Fawaz Abdullahi and Shuaibu Abdulrazaq were part of a midfield four, while Wisdom Ubani and Olakunle Olusegun started in attack.

A goal from Olusegun separated the two sides at the break and second half substitute Divine Nwachukwu sealed the win with a second goal for the five-time world champions in the 90th minute.

In their next fixture, Nigeria U17s will do battle with Guatemala on Tuesday, September 24 and wrap up group play against Senegal on Thursday, September 26.

Nigeria U17 Line-Up: Sunday Stephen, Shedrack Tanko, David Oduku, Samson Tijani, Ikenna Ferdinand, Kunle Olusegun, Wısdom Ubani (Divine Nnachukwu 78), Shuaibu Abdulrazaq (Suleiman Lawal 52), Amoo Akinkunmi (Ibraheem Jabaar 52), Etim Charles, Fawaz Abdullahi (Abayomi Mayowa 71)

**Ifeanyi Emmanuel



Source: ANS

TheSuperNerd:
UEFA ASSIST Turkey 0 Nigeria 2 : Olusegun, Nwachukwu Score; How They Lined Up

The Golden Eaglets began the UEFA U17 International Tournament with a well deserved 2-0 win against hosts Turkey at the TFF Hasan Doğan National Teams Camp and Training Facilities on Sunday afternoon.

Coach Manu Garba opted to start Sunday Stephen in goal and he was protected by a back four containing Shedrack Tanko, Ikenna Ferdinand, David Oduko and Etim Charles.

Samson Tijani, Amoo Akinkunmi, Fawaz Abdullahi and Shuaibu Abdulrazaq were part of a midfield four, while Wisdom Ubani and Olakunle Olusegun started in attack.

A goal from Olusegun separated the two sides at the break and second half substitute Divine Nwachukwu sealed the win with a second goal for the five-time world champions in the 90th minute.

In their next fixture, Nigeria U17s will do battle with Guatemala on Tuesday, September 24 and wrap up group play against Senegal on Thursday, September 26.

Nigeria U17 Line-Up: Sunday Stephen, Shedrack Tanko, David Oduku, Samson Tijani, Ikenna Ferdinand, Kunle Olusegun, Wısdom Ubani (Divine Nnachukwu 78), Shuaibu Abdulrazaq (Suleiman Lawal 52), Amoo Akinkunmi (Ibraheem Jabaar 52), Etim Charles, Fawaz Abdullahi (Abayomi Mayowa 71)

**Ifeanyi Emmanuel



Source: ANS

Fawaz is going to be a big baller in the future. You heard it here first

2NDLieutenant:
pls guys advice them on how to make it to Europe

They are not ready yet otherwise Kogi United or Lobi stars would’ve noticed them. Stop wasting your time praising them. Football isn’t played on YouTube channels.

If they were that good, someone would’ve seen them and recommended them to the under 17 handlers.

There are tons of YouTube videos of supposedly talented youths. Are you going to upload videos of them in a match or videos of them juggling the ball? If you have videos of them in a match, are you the only one who watched and observed their amazing talents? Ball juggling skills doesn’t determine a good footballer.
I think you are just hyping yourself instead of working hard and developing your skills. There are lots of academies in Nigeria and not one of them has noticed your skills?

BARAJ92:
This is terrible, so if same player become a successful player, we start struggling for the player to be part of our national team with other countries. The case of Alaba is a perfect example.

Not everyone will make the team and being a product of an oversea football academy doesn’t guarantee selection. The coaching crew would’ve tried hundreds of young boys in his position within the last two years. If they have boys better then him, does it make sense to select him and dump those boys?

He can go back, continue training and focusing on his development, his hard work would pay off hopefully.
The under 17 camp always attract opportunists who only want to use the FIFA tournament to project their career. Not all of these boys would make it. Some of the hyped ones would fall by the wayside while some very silent ones would blossom.

slam7000:


They are not ready yet otherwise Kogi United or Lobi stars would’ve noticed them. Stop wasting your time praising them. Football isn’t played on YouTube channels.

If they were that good, someone would’ve seen them and recommended them to the under 17 handlers.

There are tons of YouTube videos of supposedly talented youths. Are you going to upload videos of them in a match or videos of them juggling the ball? If you have videos of them in a match, are you the only one who watched and observed their amazing talents? Ball juggling skills doesn’t determine a good footballer.
I think you are just hyping yourself instead of working hard and developing your skills. There are lots of academies in Nigeria and not one of them has noticed your skills?

alaye they just finished secondary school this year

TheSuperNerd:
Bournemouth Academy Product Flies To Turkey To Join Nigeria U17s; 21-Player List Unveiled


Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Bournemouth Academy product Joseph Oluwabusola is in line to play for the Golden Eaglets at the UEFA/CAF U17 International Tournament.
The 2003-born player flew to Turkey on Friday and was accompanied by his father. As previously reported by this website, Oluwabusola was previously excused from the Nigeria U17s camp because of his educational commitments back in the United Kingdom. He is in direct competition with Sunday Stephen and Suleiman Shaibu for the
goalkeeping position and expected to have
more competition, with West Ham's Daniel
Jinadu set to resume training with the Golden
Eaglets when they return from Turkey.

The Golden Eaglets UEFA/CAF U17 International Tournament squad is dominated by players who were in Tanzania for the 2019 U17 AFCON.

Samson Tijani, Akinkunmi Amoo, Fawaz Abdullahi, Wisdom Ubani and Divine
Nwachukwu are among the familiar names
in the Golden Eaglets 21-man squad list.

Nigeria U17s will face hosts Turkey (Sept 22), Guatemala (Sept 24) and Senegal (Sept 26) in Group 1 of the World Cup preparation tournament.

Nigeria U17 21-Man Squad For UEFA/CAF Tourney

Goalkeepers: Joseph Oluwabusola; Sunday Stephen; Suleiman Shaibu

Defenders: Shedrack Tanko; Ikenna Ferdinand; Usman Mohammed; Charles Etim; David Oduko

Midfielders: Samson Tijani; Mubaraq Adeshina; Shuaibu Abdulrazaq; Akinkunmi Amoo; Olatomi Olaniyan; Peter Agba; Ibraheem Jabaar; Fawaz Abdullahi; Suleiman Lawal

Forwards: Olakunle Olusegun; Mayowa Abayomi; Wisdom Ubani; Divine Nwachukwu

**Ifeanyi Emmanuel


Source: ANS

Can we get the names of the clubs/academy of the players?

UEFA Assist Tournament: U-17

Stadium: TFF Riva Facilities

Referees: Mehmet Türkmen, Emrah Akkaya, Enes Berk Güçlü, Elif Köroğlu

Turkey: Atalay Gokce, Yusuf Erdem Gumus, Serdar Saatci, Ozgur Deryol, Efe Mustafa Cetin (Min.78 Emirhan Delibas), Sener Kaya, Ali Alperen Celik (Min.60 Omer Turan Gorguc), Alaattin Mumci (Min.60 Taha Aydinli) , Sarper Çağlar (Min. 60 Hüseyin Biber), Anıl Batın Aydın (Min.78 Abdullah Tazgel), Kazımcan Karataş (Min.80 Doğukan Ünal)

Nigeria: Sunday Stephen, Tanro Shadrack, Ogaga Oduku, Samson Tijani, Clement Ferdinand, Kunle Olusegun, Wisdom Ubani (Min.78 Divine Nnachuknu), Shuaibu Abdulrazak (Min.52 Suleiman Lanan), Amoo Akinkunmi (Min.52 Ibrahim Tabar), Etim Charles, Fawaz Abdullah (Min.71 Abayomi Mayona)



UEFA ASSIST Tournament match results


Sept.22:
Turkey 0-2 Nigeria

Angola 0-0 Scotland

Senegal 3-0 Guatemala

Cameroun 1-3 Paraguay


Sept.24:

Scotland v Cameroun

Guatemala v Nigeria

Paraguay v Angola

Turkey v Senegal


Sept.26:

Turkey v Guatemala

Scotland v Paraguay

Senegal v Nigeria

Angola v Cameroun




The Turkish U-17 Team.....

NPFL/Laliga U-15: Peter Joel undergoes trial with Laliga clubs

The MVP award winner of the 2019 edition of the Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL/Laliga Under 15 Promises Youth League, Peter Joel of Delta Force FC U-15 side, has left the shores of the country a few nights ago to undergo trials with some LaLiga clubs, AOIFootball.com can confirm.

Speaking exclusively to AOIFootball.com from the departure lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, the Chairman of the club, Mr. Emmanuel Chidi Okonkwo revealed that LaLiga has made arrangements for the lad to try out with a few clubs in Spain.

“I can confirm that little Peter Joel is traveling to Spain to have trials with a couple of Laliga clubs, said Chidi who accompanied the lad as a foster parent/guardian.
The trip which is part of LaLiga’s technical partnership with the NPFL will see the youngster undergo training sessions with Malaga FC for some days, before embarking on trials with the likes of Valencia and Getafe FC.
It would be recalled that Delta Force FC Under 15 side got the bronze medal of this year’s edition of the competition, and Chidi attributes the achievement to the Delta State Government’s commitment towards sports and football development.

“The achievement of our club is largely as a result of the Government’s resolve to developing football in the state, and sports in general.
“We’re thankful to the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa led Government for using sports to get our youths off the streets,” Chidi concluded

Today's results: UEFA U-17 Assist Tournament in Turkey.


Scotland 2-0 Cameroun

Guatemala 1-5 Nigeria

Goals for Nigeria came through Olakunle Olusegun, Fawaz Abdullahi, David Oduko, Akinwunmi Amoo and Ibraheem Jabaar.

The Many Garba boys scored Four goals within the first 25 mins of the first half before Guatemala managed to pull one back on 30mins. Ibraheem Jabaar then scored the final goal in the second half on 84mins.

Wisdom Ubani no wan score sef?

slam7000:


Not everyone will make the team and being a product of an oversea football academy doesn’t guarantee selection. The coaching crew would’ve tried hundreds of young boys in his position within the last two years. If they have boys better then him, does it make sense to select him and dump those boys?

He can go back, continue training and his development, his hard work would pay off hopefully.
The under 17 camp always attract opportunists who only want to use the FIFA tournament to project their career. Not all of these boys would make it. Some of the hyped ones would fall by the wayside while some very silent ones would blossom.

. Is it also right to refuse to choose a player based on being foreign based? am not saying the foreign based youth players to be chosen if they are not. better than those in camp.

Nigeria U17s Goalkeeper Battle Hots Up As West Ham Starlet Reports For Duty

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that former Chelsea starlet Daniel Jinadu remains in contention to be included in the Nigeria U17s squad list for the upcoming FIFA U17 World Cup in Brazil.

The West Ham youth-teamer landed in the nation's capital on Wednesday and will start training with the team soon.

The goalkeeping department was one of the problematic areas in the Golden Eaglets during the U17 AFCON and regional qualifiers, with the team conceding 13 goals in total, and Jinadu has been drafted in to bolster the squad.

Things did not seem to improve at the recently concluded UEFA ASSIST International Tournament in Turkey after the Nigeria U17s conceded five goals in three matches, with Football College's Sunday Stephen letting in four goals against Senegal in their last group game.

Jinadu has been named in a 50-player provisional squad list for the U17 World Cup and will undergo a final MRI examination in the next few days.

Three goalkeepers will make the final 21-player roster for the tournament in Brazil and Jinadu is competing with Sunday Stephen, Suleiman Shuaibu (Hot FA) and Joseph Oluwabusola (Bournemouth) for a spot in the team.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the former England U15 and U16 goalkeeper will be on the plane to Sao Paulo for the last phase of preparations on October 8.

Jinadu was West Ham's most impressive player in a 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the U18 Premier League Cup on Saturday, September 28.

**Ifeanyi Emmanuel



Source: ANS

Bigwigs Forcing NFF, Nigeria U17 Coaches To Include Oldham Athletic Midfielder In World Cup Squad



Allnigeriasoccer.com has been told that the Nigeria Football Federation have handed a late call-up to Sheffield United Academy product Robert Oseh ahead of the team's trip to São Paulo for the final phase of preparations for the upcoming FIFA U17 World Cup.

Golden Eaglets coaching staff led by Manu Garba have started running the rule over the attacking midfielder but it is understood that he is unlikely to be make the final 21-man roster.

This website can exclusively report that 'some bigwigs' forced the Nigerian Federation to invite Oseh to the training camp in Abuja; something which has displeased the Golden Eaglets officials who have labelled him not good enough to make the team.

Oseh was on the books of Sheffield United until the summer of 2019 when he left The Blades to join Oldham Athletic on a scholarship deal.

The 16-year-old's trip to Abuja has the blessings of Oldham Athletic's higher-ups and they are confident he will be heading to Brazil with the five-time world champions at U17 level.

Oseh is capable of playing as an attacking and defensive midfielder, and the Nigeria U17s are not lacking quality in that department.

**Ifeanyi Emmanuel

**Photo Credit : oldhamathletic.co.uk


Source: ANS

Exclusive: Arsenal's Free-Kick Expert Dazzles Nigeria U17 Coaches In Turkey But.......




Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report Arsenal teenage sensation Malcolm Ebiowei made a surprise appearance at the camp of the Golden Eaglets during the UEFA ASSIST International Tournament which ended in Turkey last week.

The attacking midfielder was invited to attend a training camp in Abuja two months ago but was not released by Arsenal due to club commitments.

In addition, he was advised by one of the foreign-based players that previously attended the Golden Eaglets training camp not to waste his time and money flying to Abuja because of the intricacies involved in selecting the final World Cup roster.

Nigeria U17 coaches led by Manu Garba monitored Ebiowei at close quarters in Turkey and were highly impressed with his quality but the bad news is that it was too late to add his name to the provisional squad.

Although Manu Garba has earmarked Ebiowei as one for the future, the free-kick expert celebrated his 16th birthday in September, meaning he is not age eligible to play for the Golden Eaglets at the 2021 FIFA U17 World Cup.

The Gunners schoolboy has been in blistering form for the U16 team since the start of this season and was rewarded with a debut for Arsenal U18s against Southampton on August 31.

Ebiowei has represented England and Netherlands youth teams but he is not provisionally cap-tied to the two European nations.

**Ifeanyi Emmanuel

**Photo Credit : instagram.com/malcolmebiowei



Source: ANS

UEFA/CAF Tourney: Garba takes positives from Eaglets’ performance




Head Coach of Nigeria’s U-17 team, Manu Garba has said they have learnt a lot from the recently concluded UEFA/CAF invitational tournament in Turkey and are well on course to defend the colours of the country in Brazil, AOIFootball.con reports.

Speaking at the team’s training in Abuja, the 2013 cadet World Cup winner further praised the level of opposition the team faced in the competition whilst also stating that they have learnt from the loss to Senegal in their final game.

“I think it was a good exposure for the boys. Since the last AFCON in April the team had not played any international match and they faced very stiff opposition from different confederations which was very good for the exposure of their confidence.

"We also learnt a lot from the loss to Senegal. They prepared better than any other team in the competition. They had eight players from the African Games and also played a competition in France before coming down to Turkey. Overall it was a good tournament for the team,” Garba saidd.

The Golden Eaglets spanked hosts Turkey 2-0 in their opening game in the invitational tournament before thrashing Guatemala 5-1 and then succumbing to fellow West Africans Senegal 4-2 in their final match.

The team will begin their quest for their 6th FIFA U-17 crown later this month in Brazil and are placed in Group B alongside Hungary, Ecuador and Australia.



Source: AOIFootball

Golden Eaglets begin dreaded MRI age test today




The Golden Eaglets today began MRI age test for 50 players listed on a provisional squad for the U17 World Cup in Brazil later this month.

Results of the age tests will be known by the weekend.

These tests have recently decimated the U17 squad particularly the one that featured at the U17 AFCON in Tanzania in April.

Officials informed SCORENigeria that coach Manu Garba and his assistants have already announced 27 outfield players and three goalkeepers for a training camp in Sao Paulo.

The squad are due to fly out of the country next Tuesday.



Source: ScoreNigeria

Earlier this year in March, just before the U-17 Nations Cup, they lost to Senegal 2-0. They learnt their lesson then. This time also, they lost to Senegal 4-2 and have learnt their lesson. Our African world-cup bound brothers (Senegal) are really teaching them a lesson. Hopefully they actually learn.

TheSuperNerd:
UEFA/CAF Tourney: Garba takes positives from Eaglets’ performance




Head Coach of Nigeria’s U-17 team, Manu Garba has said they have learnt a lot from the recently concluded UEFA/CAF invitational tournament in Turkey and are well on course to defend the colours of the country in Brazil, AOIFootball.con reports.

Speaking at the team’s training in Abuja, the 2013 cadet World Cup winner further praised the level of opposition the team faced in the competition whilst also stating that they have learnt from the loss to Senegal in their final game.

“I think it was a good exposure for the boys. Since the last AFCON in April the team had not played any international match and they faced very stiff opposition from different confederations which was very good for the exposure of their confidence.

"We also learnt a lot from the loss to Senegal. They prepared better than any other team in the competition. They had eight players from the African Games and also played a competition in France before coming down to Turkey. Overall it was a good tournament for the team,” Garba saidd.

The Golden Eaglets spanked hosts Turkey 2-0 in their opening game in the invitational tournament before thrashing Guatemala 5-1 and then succumbing to fellow West Africans Senegal 4-2 in their final match.

The team will begin their quest for their 6th FIFA U-17 crown later this month in Brazil and are placed in Group B alongside Hungary, Ecuador and Australia.



Source: AOIFootball

Arsenal Academy Product Handed Late Nigeria Call-Up Ahead Of FIFA U17 World Cup



Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that Arsenal Academy product Malcolm Ebiowei has been handed a late call-up to the Nigeria U17 squad ahead of their trip to Sao Paulo for the final phase of preparations for the World Cup which begins in Brazil on October 26.

The attacking midfielder departed the United Kingdom on Thursday and trained with the Golden Eaglets yesterday in Abuja under the guidance of manager Manu Garba.

Having caught the eye during the training camp in Turkey late last month, the Golden Eaglets coaches want to take another look at Ebiowei with a view to his inclusion on a list of 30 players heading to Brazil next week.

Huddersfield Town striker Andre Silveira Edionhon attended the get together in Istanbul but his World Cup dreams have gone up in smoke as he has been declared surplus to requirements.

Bournemouth goalkeeper Joseph Oluwabusola who has improved over the last one year, Oldham Athletic's Robert Oseh and West Ham starlet Daniel Jinadu are all in Abuja training with the team.

Meanwhile, coach Manu Garba is expected to submit a 30-man squad list to the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday, October 7.

The list was ready but he has been instructed by the powers that be to include five new names on the roster, subject to the players passing the mandatory Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests.

**Ifeanyi Emmanuel

**Photo Credit : instagram.com/malcolmebiowei


Source: ANS

And the Golden Eaglets are off to Brazil....

This has been quite informative.
More grease to your elbow.

Revealed – Nigeria U17 List For WYC Camp In Brazil, Arsenal, West Ham, Bournemouth Teen Included




The list of players of the U17 team of Nigeria who departed the shores of the country yesterday for a pre tournament camp in Brazil has been revealed to Owngoalnigeria.com editorial team.

Coach Manu Garba departed with the team yesterday after a three month camping which included a trip to Turkey for an invitational tournament where the team won two of the three games they played, losing to fellow African side Senegal.

Grouped alongside Hungary, Ecuador and Australia for the 2019 edition of the tournament which will run from October 26th to November 17th, the Nigerian team are aiming to win the tournament for the fifth time which includes back to back win in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

The squad is made up of three goalkeepers, eight defenders, ten midfielders and four forwards. Three players born abroad in goalkeeper Daniel Jinadu of West Ham and Malcolm Ebowei of Arsenal also made the list. Bournemouth goalkeeper Joseph Oluwabusola who has been a part of the squad for a while also made the list.


Full List:

Goalkeepers: Sunday Stephen, Joseph Oluwabusola ‎, Daniel Jinadu

Defenders: Charles Etim, Ogaga Oduko, Usman Ibrahim, Clement Ikenna, Shedrack Tanko, Quadri Edun, Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi, Simon Omon

Midfielders: Samson Tijani, Akinkunmi Amoo, Daniel Francis, Ibraheem Jabaar, Ibrahim Sa’id, Monsuru Opeyemi, Fawaz Abdullahi, Idris Eletu-Odibo, Malcolm Ebowei, Peter Agba.

Forwards: Olakunle Olusegun, Wisdom Ubani, Divine Nwachukwu, Mayowa Abayomi.



Source: OGN

Happened earlier today

The Golden Eaglets have touched down in Brazil....

#SoarGoldenEaglets

See link below...

https://twitter.com/thenff/status/1182693573256450048?s=19


Courtesy: @thenff

Sorry I am late... Was caught up in a whole lot of engagements... But I am back. Brazil 2019 has kicked off and we are already to see some teams stating their mission in Brazil...



Without much Ado... Let the fun resume... It's Golden Eaglets' time!!!

#SoarGoldenEaglets #FlySuperEaglets #SixthTitleMarch

Extended Highlights of Nigeria U-17's 4-2 win over Hungary.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpe6t8Zan4s


It must be noted that Hungary wemt the their Euro U-17 Championship unbeaten I Regulation time. They won all their group games beating Portugal and two others. Spain only edged them on Penalties 5-4 in the KOs. Then they went on to edge Belgium in the playoffs to qualify as Europe's fifth team for Brazil 2019.


FIFA TV official Highlights: English Commentary


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CXWsNUfp3Q

Results so far:

Brazil 4-1 Canada

Nigeria 4-2 Hungary

New Zealand 1-2 Angola

Ecuador 2-1 Australia

France 2-0 Chile

USA 1-4 Senegal

Japan 3-0 Netherlands

Korea republic 2-1 Haiti

This Japanese team is very very tactical indeed. They did not dominate possession at all but were effectively direct and smooth in their transition plays. Their main man is #10 Jun Nishikawa. Rumored to be on Barca's radar.

They beat our Golden Eaglets 1-0 in a pre-tournamemt friendly in Brazil. That shows you how strong they are. But this is the WC proper now... I see Japan and Nigeria going some distance in this World Cup.


The Netherlands are Euro Champs and an exciting side but they were so apathetic against Japan. Perhaps we would see a better Dutch side vs Senegal.

France and Brazil are other teams to look out for based on their displays so far and that French #10, Adil Aouchiche of PSG is another to watch. He is a midfielder and was top scorer at the Euro U-17 Championships with 9 goals from his CAM position.

Games for October 28.

9pm (Naija time):

Spain vs Argentina

Solomon Islands vs Italy



12midnight (Naija time):

Tajikistan vs Cameroun

Paraguay vs Mexico.

The Nigeria U-17: The Team's Big Five

The Big Five of the Nigerian Team are Captain Samson Tijani, Akinkunmi Amoo, Olakunle Olusegun, Clement Ferdinand Ikenna and Wisdom Ubani.

I will start from the defence to the front...



1. In Defence, Clement Ferdinand Ikenna holds forte as the team's lead act. Dorning jersey number 5, Ikenna has been a mainstay from the U-17 Wafu Champs till the U-17 Afcon and beyond. He is a rock solid, no nonsense defender who did a great job marking out the Giant Andres Nemeth, Hungary's no.9 in that 4-2 win.

But he is not without flaws. He should have done better for that first Hungarian goal. He didn't take note of the Hungarian #11 on time. He grew into the game as the team settled into a fine rhythm and finished strongly eventually. He would be one of the players depended upon to marshal his defense and work in better tandem with Usman Ibrahim (#6), his partner so as to not repeat the disorganization witnessed in the first 25 mins of that first half vs Hungary.



2. In midfield, we have Captain Marvel, Samson Tijani and left footed Attacking little wizard, Akinkunmi Amoo.

Tijani is the team's anchorman in midfield, the team's enforcer and DM. The beauty about his kind of DM plays is that he is a beautiful ball passer, a hard worker, a ball winner, and a playmaker. He is more than just a DM, he is a deeplying Playmaker who can mark, pass, close opposition attacking channels and also create. His form in front of our backline is key to this team's quest to conquer all in Brazil or at least go as far as the Semis.
He had a great game against Hungary and I hope he maintains the momentum. The lad plays withour fear and that is another big plus for him.
I see him scoring a one or two more wonder goals from his trademark rocket missiles.


Akinkunmi Amoo is the Most technically gifted player in this side and the most powerful creative spark of the team. His skills, tricks, movements, pace, intelligence and creativity will come in handy against any form of opposition in Brazil. His entrance into the Hungary game gave us a new edge and new dimensions in attack taking the creative burdens off Tijani. As he has shown since the U-17 Wafu qualifying tournament, he is a special player and a key man we can rely on.



3. In attack, we have Olakunle Olusegun who is the fastest player in the team and the team's top scorer from the U-17 Wafu qualifiers till now and the powerful and daring Wisdom Ubani.

The team's hopes for goals as seen in the Hungary game do not rest on just these two as the team can conjure magic and chances from any dept of the team but these two will have to weigh in with goals and performances that can surely lift the team above even the stiffest of challenges.
Olakunle Olusegun is blessed with skills, finishing and crazy speed. He has a fantastic centre of gravity which keeps him solid in the run and in duels when on the ball. He only needs to play with his team mates much more than he is doing. He is a menace and a speedster and very prolific but struggled a bit against the Hungarian
9-man defence because the team did struggle as a whole to settle into a fine rhythm.

Also, the team was in too much of a hurry to transit plays and finish moves which affected our flow especially in the first half.
Olakunle will score goals in Brazil but the team must play better than they did against Hungary and "Vardy" Kunle must make the most of his speed and movement to draw fouls in dangerous opposition areas and also take his chances when they do come.


Lastly, Wisdom Ubani. This lad is the freekick specialist of the team and the #9. Reports say he played with a knock against Hungary which almost got aggravated when the Hungarians went in hard on his ankle in the first half.

Ubani was not at his best although he did win a penalty. That was partly due to the brilliance and vision of Ibrahim Said (#20) who despite being surrounded by five Hungarian players, laid a sweet pass into Ubani's path which drew a foul from one of the Hungarian defenders trying to stop Ubani and avert the danger.

We need an inform Ubani and I hope the medical team and fitness personnel gets him into top shape. Ubani is key to this team and his partnership with Olakunle could be the puzzle breaker going forward against more technically tough teams.



So these are the big five of the team and their forms and character is key to taking thus team to heights of glory. The only challenge is the defence but I hope Manu Garba gets the likes of Ikenna and co into better defensive shape and ensure they show good tactical discipline

In Summary, the Big five:
1). Ferdinand Clement Ikenna (Defence)

2). Samson Tijani (Midfield)

3). Akinkunmi Amoo (Midfield)

4). Olakunle Olusegun (Attack)

5). Wisdom Ubani (Attack)





The other key men in the team who can push this team pass Opponents and take us far are:

- Daniel Jinadu #16 (GK): May have conceeded twice but none were his fault and he is still one of the best U-18 GK talents in England at West Ham.

- Ibrahim Sa'id (#20): The intelligence of this attacking winger is underrated. Really fine player with a fine right foot. Got the assist for Usman's equalising header vs Hungary and also beautifully evaded five Hungarian players with an intelligent poked pass into the path of Ubani who drew a foul in the box as a result of that key pass from Sa'id. His industry is also noted and is one to watch going forward.

- Ibraheem Jabaar (#18): This lad is a highly cerebral player who can unleash rockets from distance and also create chances. A beautiful player to watch.

- Hamzat Ojediran (#8 ): He is new to the team but he is obviously very talented. Has great workrate and covers ground from his CM role.

- Peter Olawale (#12): This kid is a special talent not known to most as he joined Post U-17 Afcon. The lad is striker who can get you goals and also create them. His chance to play depends on the form of the lead attacking acts in Olakunle and Ubani.

- Divine Nwachukwu (#17): Another striker. The Star of the Nigerian U-15s at last year's African youth games where he was top scorer. This kid has what it takes to be one of the team's jokers here in Brazil.

- Oluwatimehin Adeniyi (#2): The Attacking wingback was listed as a forward in the 21 man list. It is obvious his versatility is very good and he can only get better in his role as wingback/fullback.

- Usman Ibrahim (#6): His partnership with Ikenna Ferdinand is key.

Spain 0-0 Argentina.

Solomon Islands 0-5 Italy.

TheSuperNerd:
Games for October 28.

9pm (Naija time):

Spain vs Argentina

Solomon Islands vs Italy



12midnight (Naija time):

Tajikistan vs Cameroun

Paraguay vs Mexico.

Please i'm a Nigerian a versatile football player u17. i want to play for my country. Any link.

Other results from over 10-12 hours ago:

Tajikistan shocked Cameroun 1-0

Paraguay and Mexico played 0-0.