The camp of the U23 team of Nigeria received a huge boost ahead of the return leg of their U23 AFCON qualifiers game against Tanzania, which will take place in Ibadan on Sunday. A week after the first leg which ended 1-1 in Tanzania.
Coach Salisu Yusuf talked about beefing up his squad for the tournament by inviting more players particularly in midfield and attack. The two areas he has identified as badly in need of reinforcement.
It was no surprise when Arsenal youth team expert Jeorge Bird confirmed the invitation of on loan highly rated Arsenal midfielder Tim Akinola. The player also posted his arrival in Nigeria on his social media handle.
Akinola joined Arsenal in 2020 and featured prominently for the club at U23 level. Last season he featured for the first-team in a friendly against Brentford and then had a loan spell at Dundee United that was wrecked by injury. He was born in Nigeria but is also eligible to represent England.
So far this season Akinola has played four times for Chesterfield, but he will now be unavailable for their next two games against York City and Boreham Wood.