Nigerian midfield dynamo reveals major difference between the Swedish league and the Belgian league

The Nigerian midfielder just moved to Belgium last year, but he is already making waves

Super Eagles hopeful Alhassan Yusuf has revealed that the major difference between playing in Sweden and playing in Belgium is the difference in the weather.

Yusuf's career has witnessed steady growth in the last four years. The 22-year-old midfielder was still at Tiki Taka football Academy in 2018 before he sealed a transfer to Swedish Allsvenskan club IFK Goteborg.

He quickly sealed his spot in the first team, and he went on to make 77 appearances for the club before he moved to Belgian side Antwerp in July 2021.

Since his move to Antwerp, Yusuf has shown his quality. Likened to Super Eagles midfield powerhouse Wilfred Ndidi, Yusuf is a perfect hustler on the pitch.

The 22-year-old is full of running and is always quick to snuff out the danger.

Speaking on his experience since leaving Sweden, Yusuf explained the changes he had witnessed since he left Sweden.

“I would say they isn’t much difference in terms of their living standard, I think the biggest difference is the weather”, Yusuf told The Nation.

“In terms of the quality of the football leagues, the standard of the game is much higher in Belgium and also the intensity of the game is higher than in Sweden.

“Actually the expectation in Antwerp is really high because we are going to fight for nothing less than the championship and qualify for the champions league.”

Generally, Sweden is colder than Belgium for moving. Still, Yusuf has adjusted to the change in an environment very well. Earlier this season, he bagged the player of the month award at Antwerp.

Yusuf is yet to make his debut for the Super Eagles, but if he continues at his current trajectory, it would only be a matter of time before he gets the chance.