At least three players of Nigerian descent are in line to be on parade at City’s Academy Stadium when Manchester City face off with Chelsea in the first leg of the FA Youth Cup final on Tuesday night.

Tom Dele-Bashiru has impressed for City in the competition this season, scoring one goal, teammates Nathaniel Ogbeta, and Ashinme Kigbu are eligible to play but have not tasted action.

As for Chelsea, Ike Ugbo will definitely start barring any last minute development and he could be joined in the starting line-up by England U18 star Tariq Uwakwe.

Ugbo, 18, has stepped into the position vacated by Tammy Abraham without any problem, and has scored eight goals, including a hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur in the last round.

Six Nigerian players - Kelechi Iheanacho, Tosin Adarabioyo, Dominic Solanke, Ola Aina, Fikayo Tomori, and Tammy Abraham - started the final between Chelsea and City two years ago, with the Super Eagle and Abraham registering their names on the scorecard.

Chelsea have contested the final eight times in the last ten years while Manchester City are playing the Blues in the showpiece game for the third year in a row.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: chelseafc.com