Zaidu Sanusi recently made the headlines when he made a big career move to Portuguese side FC Porto after a season with newly promoted Santa Clara.
Zaidu was one of the revelations of the Portuguese top flight league last season and he was already in line for a call up to the senior national team of Nigeria before his high profile move to Porto.
Owngoalnigeria.com Ade Emmanuel takes a look at why he could displace Jamilu Collins and become first choice left back of the senior national team of Nigeria.
Pace – He is seen as one of the fastest player in the Portuguese League. His pace has been largely responsible for his ability to turn defence into attack and also to recover quickly after a foray upfront.
Better With Crosses – Last season in Portugal he recorded three assists in all competitions, the highest for a Nigerian defender playing in Europe. All of his assists were all pin point crosses, a skill he perfected owing to the fact that he played as a left winger for years before his conversion to a left full back two seasons ago.
A Threat In Set Piece – Standing at an impressive height of 1.82m , the 23 year old uses his height to good advantage with four out of the seven goals he has scored in his career coming via headers. Last season his only goal of the season was a header.
Can Play As A Left CB – Coach of the Nigerian team Gernot Rohr has shown his desire to play with a back three but most times it’s not always efficient due to the unavailability of a left footed central defender. Zaidu played in that role in his last season at Mirandela from where he was scouted by Santa Clara.
Comfortable In Possession – If there is one area the Kebbi boy has shown his class it’s with the ball at his feet. He hardly misplace passes with his pass completion rate among one of the highest in the Portuguese first division last season.
