The one player who caught the eyes during the Nigeria U20 team 4-2 friendly game win against Zambia was Haliru Sarki Rilwan, he scored the opener and twice had efforts that came off the woodwork.
He was a thorn in the flesh of the Zambians with his clever foot works, pace, strengths and also passes. It came as a no surprise when he got a standing ovation when he was subbed off around 65 minutes of play.
It appears many have forgotten about him from the last U17 team of Nigeria and also that he was at the WAFU B championship where the team emerged as champions. He played in all of the games bar the last two games which he missed due to the injury.
Sarki we gathered is currently generating lot of interests from top teams in Europe and as many as six are keen on running the rule on him when the U20 AFCON gets underway. Although it could be earlier than that with representatives of some clubs already in Morocco where the team will have their final camp.
Abuja based Mahanaim Football Club have a gem on their hand and will no doubt demand a premium as his transfer fee with his room for improvement putting him in the frame for a senior national team call up in a not too distant future.
Mohammed Mowiz
