The exit of the U17 team of Nigeria from the U17 Africa Cup of Nations appears not to have any direct implication on the future of some of the players in the team, OGN can exclusively reveal.
Nigeria failed to make it to the World Cup by finishing outside the top four in the tournament following a 1-2 loss to Burkina Faso in the quarter final.
It was projected that the failure to make it to the World Cup will have adverse effects on the growth of the players as they will miss out on the chance of impressing top teams in the world at the global stage. Nigeria is the most successful team in the history of the tournament with five titles.
For now we gathered that some players in the team are already close to signing for top teams in Europe with top striker Abdullahi Abubakar leading the way.
Abubakar scored two goals at the tournament despite the failure of his team and that return has put him on the wish list of some teams in Europe top of which is Portuguese side FC Porto.
He is expected to join Portuguese side FC in the summer. Talks are already advanced with his local team Jega United of Kebbi State, and we gathered the team is owned by the elder brother of FC Porto and Super Eagles left back Zaidu Sanusi.
OGN will continue to monitor the proposed deal as it progresses.
Daniel Martins.
