Nigeria’s five potential stars for Russia 2018

5 Zaharadeen Bello  (17yrs)– was invited to the 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 YouthChampionship final in Morocco and was one of the […]

5 Zaharadeen Bello  (17yrs)– was invited to the 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 where his decisive last ditch tackles prevented opponents from scoring, he is presently on the books of NICE of France where we all hope he’ll develop into a monster of a defender before the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

4 Musa Yahaya (17yrs) – the Tottenham player was part of Nigeria’s World Cup winning side in U.A.E last year, 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” continuing his loan spell with Celta Vigo before returning to his parent club to light up the premiership, Nigerians could have a real treat with this guy by 2018.
3 Success Isaac (18yrs)– 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 U.A.E where he scored another seven goals as the Eaglets became world champions Manchester City, Lille and Benfica all battled for this promising centre forward’s signature with Serie A club Udinese emerging victorious last year, he was subsequently loaned out to Spanish club Granada to gain experience before returning to Italy to mesmerize with goals, he is another exciting player that could help Nigeria’s cause in the coming years.

2 Taiwo Awoniyi (17yrs) – A hardworking striker who was initially drafted from the National Under-15 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. The Kalmar FC player will be expected to have gained a lot of experience by the time the next World Cup comes around.

1 Kelechi Iheanacho (18 yrs)– A tall, classic No. 10 with a sweet left foot, Iheanacho combines playmaking ability with an eye for goal and is undoubtedly 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 then progressed to the Under-15 team. The teenager, who won both the Golden Ball and the silver boot at the World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, was snapped up by Manchester City after fighting off interest from a host of other top clubs last season. Iheanacho is set to join City’s squad on their US pre-season tour as he garners experience that could be vital for Nigeria as it aims to be the first African country to lift the World Cup in 2018.