The rise and performance of several Nigerian players is easily tracked when they are playing in the top division of some of the top leagues in the world especially the top five leagues in Europe.
That said it’s also common knowledge that some Nigerian players are making their marks in leagues not followed by many untill they at least make a move to a top league, much like the case of Gift Orban, who was signed from second division Norwegian side Stabæk by Belgium side Gent.
He is presently among the most sought after African player in Europe after just six months with his goal return of 16 goals in 18 games from January till date enough to make the top teams pay attention to his exploits, especially the fact that he is just 20 years old.
It’s also the case for 18 year old Samuel Omorodion Aghehowa who plays for the youth team of Spanish side Granada popularly called Recreativo Granada. He has already got a look in with the first team of the second division side who are pushing for promotion back to the LaLiga.
Born in Spain to a Nigerian father, only two players have scored more goals than him in the Spanish group IV. Last season he showed his eyes for goals with 26 goals for the U19s leading to his promotion to the B team.
He played for Sevilla in his early days as a youngster, but the following year he joined Nervión, a famous Sevilla based youth club that has signed agreements with both Betis and Sevilla, but without exclusivity.
Samu as he is fondly called was close to joining one of the above mentioned teams in 2021 but while they were still mulling over a decision, he was snapped up by Granada and he hasn’t look back since then. Report from Spain has it that teams in England, France and Germany have all taken a look at the possiblity of signing him in the summer.
Mohammed Mowiz
