Three of Nigeria's four football academies are in the semifinals of one of Europe's oldest youth competitions
Ojodu City's wonder kids Ayobami Nafiu Obalowu and Hafiz Umar Ibrahim have been identified as two of Nigeria's best youngsters at the 2024 Viareggio Tournament in Italy, Soccernet.ng reports.
Obalowu and Ibrahim have been key to Ojodu City's success as the Lagos-based football academy reached the semifinals in their maiden appearance at the competition.
Ojodu City
Renowned Italian scout Michele Fratini, speaking to Goalist, has confessed his admiration for the two Nigerian talents.
Fratini, likening Obalowu to Fiorentina's young fullback Michael Kayode, is impressed by the teenage defender's pace, strength, and understanding of the game.
For Fratini, Obalowu is ready to play in Serie A.
“Yes, in Ojodu City, there are two players who seriously impressed me: Obalowu Nafiu Ayobami, born in 2006,” Fratini said.
“And to make you understand, how Kayode plays in Florence (who plays in a 4-man defence), well, he has the same characteristics but is ideal in the “fifth” in a theoretical 3-5-2, great running ability, has a lot of strength despite being a prototype, true athlete's leg, but he plays excellently with both feet, he scored a few goals in this tournament and therefore also excellent in this sense, also good in the “goal kick”.
“When the team gets a corner, he remains last, and the reason is linked to his speed to avoid the counterattack.
“A profile that, in my opinion, without exaggeration, is ready for Serie A.
“He knows how to overlap and has great physical resistance.”
Hafiz Umar Ibrahim is proving to be one of the revelations of the Viareggio Tournament.
The 18-year-old Kano-born striker has nine goals in the tournament, netting two hat-tricks.
Ibrahim is already on the shortlist of some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Inter and AC Milan, and Fratini highlights some of the youngster's strongest points.
Fratini said: “The other, born in 2005, is called Ibrahim Umar Hafiz.
“He did his best to bring the team to the semi-finals; he is a mobile attacker who ranges from right to left and then finishes as a central attacker, good at finishing.
“He is very good and has a crazy “hunger”: he attacks every ball, is also skilled in aerial play, very fast.
“Believe me; he is a striker who always puts defences in difficulty.”
Ojodu City and fellow Nigerian representatives Beyond Limits will face each other in the semifinals of the Viareggio Tournament on Saturday, February 24.
