Ahead of Nigeria Under-17s first qualifiers against Niger Republic in the race to be at next year Africa Youth Championship, Owngoalnigeria.com Ahmed Ishaya list five prospects to watch out for in tomorrow’s game.
1. Adebayo Adeleke
Described by coach Manu Garba as the best goalkeeper he has seen at youth level, since he came into the set up in 2005. Adeleke has cat like reflex, firm handling and above can start attack from the back with his near perfect distribution from the back.
2 Igoh Ogbu
Vice captain of the newly assembled Under-17 team of Nigeria. The hard as nail defender is partly the reason why most of their games has ended in a clean sheet for the defence.
Mobile, agile, and strong in tackles, Manu Garba rates him so highly to the extent of comparing him to former U-17 & 20 captain Musa Mohammed.
3. Nazifi Yahaya
Crafty, smart and intelligent, the forward who was plucked from a Kano based academy has attributes in the box above his age. The striker scores at least a goal in two of four sessions since stealing the attention of the coaches in his first training session with the team, when he struck a hattrick.
4. Abdulrazak Isehq
The Unity Academy of Kaduna midfielder is blessed with the rare gift of being able to hit correctly a 40 yard pass with both feet to release other players, neat in possession, enterprising and skillful. He is the one of the livewire of the team.
5. Abduljabar Sani
Named captain of the team few days ago by coach Manu Garba. He is by far the most consistent player since the team was assembled, the G-Smart Academy prospect has the ability to create something out of nothing with his ability to wriggle out of tight situation with ease.
