Nigeria Target Obafemi Scores And Assists For Ireland U19 In Win Over Kosovo

Michael Obafemi was on song for the Republic of Ireland youth side in their 3-0 defeat of Kosovo as they kept up their hopes of qualifying for the 2018 UEFA Under-19 European Championship with the convincing victory.

The Southampton striker who became the first Nigerian player born in 2000 to feature in the Premier League opened the scoring after five minutes of play, finishing off with a superb strike to give his team the lead.

O'Connor scored in the 13th-minute, lifting the ball over Kosovo goalkeeper Flamur Gashi to give Ireland a two-goal cushion before Obafemi yet turned provider for Rowan Roache who put the game out of sight, nine minutes into the second-half after connecting with a cross from the Nigerian.

While he was in action for the entire duration of the game, his Southampton teammate, Jonathan Afolabi who was equally invited for the games was not selected for action.

Obafemi and his Irish teammates can qualify for the 2018 UEFA Under-19 European Championship in Finland if they beat Portugal on Tuesday.

The 17-year old had long been on the radar of Nigeria's national team coaches and the Nigerian Federation and there has been indications that the talented striker has committed his international future at senior level to Nigeria ahead of his country of birth and England.

Emmanuel Chinaza