Okocha Gets High Rating After Debut For West Ham U23 Vs Benfica

Nigerian wonderkid Joshua Okocha impressed on his debut for West Ham U23 on Tuesday night, despite the young Hammers losing 2-0 to Benfica in a Premier League International Cup contest at AGP Arena (Billericay, Essex).

Aged 15, the central defender broke into West Ham's U18 squad in September and has put in a full shift in their last four matches in the U18 Premier League.

West Ham United U23s coach Liam Manning was delighted with the performance of Okocha in his post-match comments.

He told whufc.com : ''Josh did well. He has been playing in the youth team regularly and he was in the team tonight on a combination of merit and injuries.

''It was a great opportunity and him grasping that opportunity, he will be really pleased. He’s now got to keep working hard week-in, week-out in the youth team.''

In the 20th minute, Tunji Akinola partnered Okocha in defense after Greenidge sustained an injury.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : whufc.com