Babatunde Akomolede: The 17-year-old Sporting Lagos star with a throw more powerful than Rory Delap’s

Seventeen-year-old Babatunde Akomolede has recently garnered media attention following his impressive display in Sporting Lagos Academy’s campaign in Sweden, Soccernet.ng reports.

Sporting Lagos Academy was among the Nigerian teams that featured in this year's Gothia Cup, where the Lagos-based club secured the trophy with a victory over Tokyo FC.

However, it was Akomolede’s incredible throw-in skills that took the spotlight, wowing football fans both within and outside Nigeria.

Akomolede’s Throwing Skills

Akomolede’s powerful throw-ins have drawn comparisons to former Republic of Ireland international Rory Delap, renowned for having one of the longest throw-ins in football.

The Nigerian prodigy won the Gothia Puma branded MVP award for his stellar performance at the 2024 Gothia Cup tournament in Sweden.

Watch his video here:

https://twitter.com/poojamedia/status/1814716902914040294?s=46&t=b9FUBUNstw3lkK85djbEwA

His exceptional throw-ins played a crucial role in Sporting Lagos' semi-final victory against fellow Nigerian team Beyond Limits, where Akomolede assisted three goals in a hard-fought 5-4 win.

Delap’s Legendary Throws

Rory Delap’s throw-ins are legendary, often compared to corner kicks and free kicks for their precision and impact, particularly during his time with Stoke City.

A former schoolboy javelin champion, Delap could launch the ball 30–40 meters (98–131 feet) with an average distance of 38 meters (125 feet) and speeds reaching 60 km/h (37 mph).

His throws frequently disrupted defenses and led to numerous assists, showcasing an unconventional yet highly effective skill in football.

Akomolede’s Potential

While the stadiums where Akomolede currently plays cannot be compared to those Delap played in, with more training and experience, his throws have the potential to become even more perfect and precise.

The young Nigerian has already evoked memories of Delap’s disruptive and assist-laden throw-ins, and with a bigger platform, Akomolede could further refine this unique skill.