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.
This post was last modified on %s = human-readable time difference 3:16 pm
AC Milan will look to Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze for inspiration on Tuesday as they… Read More
Nigerian forward Mohammed Zulkifilu has declared his determination to secure qualification for the 2024 African… Read More
Following a dazzling performance against Napoli on Sunday, Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been named… Read More
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will be available for selection for Galatasaray in their UEFA… Read More
Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface has named Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen as the most famous… Read More
Afrobeats superstar Odumodublvck has urged Arsenal to sign Viktor Gyokeres and Super Eagles forward Ademola… Read More