5 Flying Eagles expected to shine in New Zealand

After the friendly matches, coach Manu Garba would release the final 25 man list for the competition which starts on May 30. Here are the five players who are not only sure of making the final list but also have what it takes to take the world by storm beginning from June 1. 5 Zaharadeen […]

After the friendly matches, coach Manu Garba would release the final 25 man list for the competition which starts on May 30. Here are the five players who are not only sure of making the final list but also have what it takes to take the world by storm beginning from June 1.

5 Zaharadeen Bello – He was invited to the U17 team after an excellent performance at the 2012 Airtel Rising Stars Championship in Lagos where he was voted the best defender and Bello didn’t disappoint as he became rock solid at the back as Nigeria reached the African Youth
Championship final in Morocco and was one of the most influential players as the Under 17 side conquered the World for a record fourth time in UAE. His decisive last ditch tackles prevented opponents from scoring. He is presently on the books of Nice of France where it is expected that he must have learned new tricks in the art of defending which would be of benefit to Nigeria in New Zealand.

4 Musa Yahaya – The Tottenham player was part of Nigeria’s World Cup winning side in U.A.E two years ago where he won immense plaudits for his exploits. Musa exists somewhere between a traditional playmaker and a deep-lying striker. His assists were crucial to Nigeria’s success in Dubai, but so were his goals.
“I like to score”, he said, a predictable sentiment for a player with such a wide array of attacking options playing in such a forward-thinking side. “But the role of playmaker, just behind the strikers, is something I love. I love to have the ball at my feet and to look up and play my mates in with a pass.” the player said. With Musa nicknamed “Iniesta” after a loan spell with Celta Vigo he has since returned to his parent club in London with dreams of lighting up the premiership soon. If he has no injury problem, Nigerians could have a real treat with this guy at the FIFA World Cup.

3 Success Isaac – Isaac became a force to reckon with when he became top scorer at the 2013 African U17 Championship in Morocco where he scored seven goals as Nigeria reached the final before joining Nigeria’s party to UAE where the Eaglets became world champions. Manchester City, Lille and Benfica all battled for this promising centre forward’s signature with Serie A club Udinese getting his signature. He was subsequently loaned out to Spanish club Granada to gain experience before returning to Italy. He is another exciting player that could help Nigeria’s cause not only in New Zealand but also the Eagles in the coming years.

2 Taiwo Awoniyi – He is currently the “man of the moment” A hardworking striker who was initially drafted from the National U15 team that missed the Adidas Tournament in 2012. Taiwo blossomed in the Golden Eaglets, scoring a brace on his debut against Botswana and got rave accolades for his performances in U.A.E which included 4 goals in the tournament “Awoniyi is the type of striker you only notice when paying close attention” said Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan,“I like him a lot “He does all the work up there and creates a lot. This is my kind of player.” Gyan concluded after watching Nigeria in UAE 2013 with Kanu recently saying the player is Nigeria’s hottest prospect at the moment. Without doubt, the youngster will surely be on the plane to New Zealand for the Mundial and all eyes would be on him to perform the magic he did at the African Youth Championship in Senegal and Zambia in the AAG qualifier.

1 Kelechi Iheanacho – Many Nigerians were disappointed when Manchester City failed to release him for the AYC last month. A tall, classic No. 10 with a sweet left foot, Iheanacho combines playmaking ability with an eye for goal and is arguably Nigeria’s finest young player. He has always been regarded as a player with huge potential, starting his career with Taye Academy in Owerri, before being drafted to the National Under-13 from where he progressed to the U15 team. The teenager, who won both the Golden Ball and the silver boot at the U17 World Championship in the United Arab Emirates, was snapped up by Manchester City after fighting off interest from a host of other top clubs. Iheanacho is set to join the Flying Eagles in Germany to round up preparations before going to the World Cup to prove his mettle once again