Adapting to Nigeria’s style wouldn’t be difficult-Ajayi
Speaking to Fever Pitch yesterday, Ajayi, added that he feel honoured each time he is called upon to appear for Nigeria.“I feel adapting wouldn’t be hard because I have faced different kinds of opponents in different terrains. Experiences like that prepare you for different kinds of situation” he said.The Nigeria Football Federation recently restated its […]
Speaking to Fever Pitch yesterday, Ajayi, added that he feel honoured each time he is called upon to appear for Nigeria.
“I feel adapting wouldn’t be hard because I have faced different kinds of opponents in different terrains. Experiences like that prepare you for different kinds of situation” he said.
The Nigeria Football Federation recently restated its plan to rebuild Nigerian football after the Super Eagles embarrassingly missed out on a second Africa Cup of Nations from the last three editions and the answer might just lie in North London where five Nigerian youngsters are making waves at the moment.
Chuba Akpom, Semi Ajayi, Stephen Ukoh, Chuks Aneke and Alex Iwobi are all highly rated by manager Arsene Wenger and numerous football analysts who believe Nigeria should do all it can to fully lure these players before they get taken away by European countries.
At early ages, these players have been exposed to high level techniques of the game under the tutelage of some of the best coaches in Europe which has really ingrained in them all the ingredients needed to succeed at the highest level.
Fortunately for Nigeria, Chuba Akpom and Ajayi have expressed interest to feature in Nigeria’s friendlies against Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, next week.
The duo, Ajayi and Akpom have been called up by coach Daniel Amokachi for the trip, alongside Steven Ukoh, who has also been cleared by the world football governing body to play for Nigeria after he had represented Switzerland at various age-grade levels.
Akpom (the most popular of the lot) is a very skillful, versatile attacking midfielder who has already gotten immense experience with the Arsenal first team with appearances in the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League.
Ajayi, is a ball-playing central defender who has been on the wings of the Arsenal main squad, and has already represented Nigeria at the U20 level having featured at last year’s Toulon Festival in France.
With all the country’s male age grade teams having major tournaments in 2015 and the NFF saying they hope to rebuild Nigeria’s football by paying more attention to ‘developmental’ football and harnessing talents that will go on to represent the Super Eagles in the nearest future, this will be best time to draft in this kind of players so as to tap from their talents and experience abroad.
Meet Nigeria’s Arsenal youngsters
Chuks Aneke (July 3, 1993)
Arsenal youngster, Aneke, could become an invaluable asset to Eagles. The 20-year-old has played for England at U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-19 levels. He has a long term future with the Eagles if he switches allegiance to Nigeria.
Currently on loan at Crewe Alexandra, the midfielder has been likened to Gunners legend Patrick Vieira.
He has shown a great deal of versatility at Crewe, where he has played as a centre-back and defensive midfielder. Aneke has all the makings of a future star; he has quality, creativity and goal-scoring ability.
Semi Ajayi (November 9, 1993)
London-born Ajayi came through the Charlton Athletic Academy, before joining the Arsenal Academy. The 19-year-old however opted to play for Nigeria and was part of the Flying Eagles squad at last year’s U-20 World Cup in Turkey. He may come in useful for the national U-23 team.
Alex Iwobi (May 3, 1996)
Born in Lagos, Iwobi has represented England at youth level. The versatile forward has been with Arsenal since the age of eight. The talented youngster is capable of playing anywhere in the attack.
Chuba Akpom (October 9, 1995)
Akpom is an English footballer of Nigerian descent who plays as a striker for Arsenal. Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger, has not hidden his admiration for the player, who can play anywhere across the frontline. Akpom has represented England at U-16, U-17 and U-19 age grades.
Stephen Ukoh (June 19, 1991)
The versatile midfielder, born on June 19 , 1991 to Nigerian parents in Berne, Switzerland, currently plays for Biel-Bienne FC on loan from Arsenal.
Ukoh represented Switzerland at U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-20 levels between 2006 and 2010, but had a change of mind thereafter and opted to wear the green-white-green at the senior international level.
His father, Archibong Effiong Ukoh and mother, Helene hail from Itu Local Government area of Akwa Ibom State.