The Nigeria U20 team won Bronze at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Tunisia 4-0 in the third place match yesterday. Their most convincing performance at the tournament which ends today.
Mohammed Beji, Ahmed Abdullahi and a brace from Jude Sunday sealed the win that brought their participation at the tournament to an end with a podium finish, in addition to qualifying for the World Cup which takes place in Indonesia in the month of May.
A scout who was at the tournament to scout for teams picked five Nigerian players he think will be able to crack it at teams in Europe even though the team still requires a lot of work before the World Cup. He pointed the attack as the main problem of the team.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he sent to OGN his report on the five players he thinks distinguished themselves for Nigeria at the tournament and without a doubt will be the target of some European teams in the summer.
5. Jude Sunday – He has the raw burst of pace and he is very direct. Took his two goals against Tunisia really well and also caused Gambia all manners of trouble in the semi final when he was introduced. Clubs in Europe like his type for their direct approach.
4. Chijioke Anigboso – Calmness personified and dealt with crosses better than any goalkeeper at the tournament. His ball handling is also very good plus he stands at an impressive height. I like that he commands his box and teams admire goalkeepers with such ability.
3. Solomon Agbalaka- The thing is that he might likely end up as centre back and in this world right now , left footed centre backs are like gold and he has it in him to end there. As a left back he isn’t one you can go past easily although he has to work on his final ball but as a centre back, I think he needs little fine tuning to be a beast.
2. Abel Ogwuche – Loves a tackle, good in the air and also very comfortable in possession. It’s crazy how he still plays in the Swedish second division but he won’t stay long there. Personally I think he won’t be out of place at any team he goes to.
1. Benjamin Fredrick – My top pick from the Nigerian team. He didn’t pick a single booking yet made more tackles than any Nigerian player, strong in the air and his ability to play from the back is the best I have seen in a long while from a young footballer. Listen to me, he played every minute for Nigeria at the tournament yet committed only one foul.
Osas Mahawi
