One player who has so far forced his way into the plans of coach of the Nigeria U20 team Ladan Bosso is Nasarawa United midfielder Mohammed Abdullah.
Abdullah was spotted by the coach during a test game against his team with the midfielder excelling in the middle of the pitch despite his team suffering a 2-4 loss.
Lanky, stylish and mobile, the GBS Academy of Jos midfielder is comfortable as a deep lying playmaker in a midfield three or as a central midfielder due to his ability to move from box to box.
While renowned for his aggression with and without the ball, Abdullah’s passing range and awareness came to the fore in the holding midfield role he occupied against the team he has been appointed as one of the captains for the WAFU tournament.
With more time and space on the ball, he was able to pick out teammates over greater distances than he would normally do. However, his quality in build-up is visible even when he plays on the outside of a three.
He loves to drive inside laterally or diagonally from left to right with the ball at feet. In doing so he causes problems for the opposition, who must quickly pass marking duties on from player to player as he moves across the field. These moves regularly open up space behind the opponent’s midfield line which can be exploited with penetrating passes.
Abdullah moves extremely well to open up penetrative passes for himself and others. On top of that, he is constantly looking for ways to connect with teammates through quick one-touch passes and combinations.
And when his team don’t have possession, he becomes a dogged defender. Aggressive and hard-working, he relishes closing down opponents and is unafraid to tackle. His mobility helps him to cover ground quickly, pressing and recovering his position if he is beaten. He reads his opponent’s pass and moves to intercept before starting a counter-attack for his own team.
If the Nigerian team succeed at the tournament in Benin Republic it will most be down to how the Nasarawa United man acquit himself during the course of the tournament.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
