The ongoing WAFU B African U17 Nations Cup Qualifiers has thrown up a star in the making in Nigerian forward Olakunle Olusegun who is presently the top scorer in the tournament with four goals.
Olusegun opened his account for Nigeria with a brace in their 2-3 loss to Burkina Faso before following up with another in their 5-1 win over Cote d’Ivoire. He made it four goals in three games with the second goal for Nigeria in their 2-1 win over host Niger Republic in the semi-final.
He has so far proven to be a rare talent with his combination of raw pace, skills and positioning in front of goal the strength of his display so far for the Nigerian team who are set to take on Ghana in tomorrow’s final.
The manner which the ABS teen wonder has found the back of the net is a testament of his strong display during the NPFL U15 Promises tournament held last year across various centres in Nigeria among teams in the Nigeria Profesional Football League (NPFL).
His brace against Burkina Faso saw him score once from the spot and that came after he reduced the deficit for Nigeria with a smart finish in the box. He used a combination of smart footwork and goal sense to score in the game against Cote d’Ivoire.
Top among his goals is the left footed curler against Niger Republic, as he took out his man with his usual footwork after using his pace to get into a promising position.
Ahead of tomorrow’s final all eyes will be on the Nigerian number 7 jersey man, who although not yet in the class of the likes of Victor Osimhen, Macaulay Chrisantus and other Nigerians forward who has excelled at this level, he is however on another level in comparison with all forwards at the WAFU B U17 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleman writes in from Liberty Radio Kaduna.
