Nigeria Target Kelvin Arase Shines As Austria Beat Bosnia In UEFA U17 Championship

Nigerian-born striker Kelvin Arase helped the Austria U17s beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in both countries first Group B match at the UEFA U17 Championship taking place in Azerbaijan.

The 17-year-old was lively throughout the contest at Bakcell Arena (Bakı) and was unlucky not to open his goalscoring account for his adopted country.

Austria controlled the game from the beginning and were rewarded for their efforts in the first half, with Baumgartner netting a brace.

Retired Nigeria international Benedict Akwuegbu earlier stated that he will approach Arase’s parents so the youngster commits his international future to Nigeria instead of Austria but it appears it turned out to be a wild-goose chase.

Arase, who is on the books of the U18 team of Rapid Vienna, appeared 6 times for the Austria U17s in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship (Qualifying round) and was credited with two assists.

German-based trio David Alaba (Bayern Munich), Rubin Okotie (1860 Munich) and Karim Onisiwo (Mainz 05) have represented Austria at senior level.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : skrapid.at