Five Nigerian Talents Start As Arsenal Set Up Semifinal Meeting With Man Utd In Dallas Cup

Arsenal U19s have set up a semifinal meeting with Manchester United in one of the biggest and best youth tournaments in the world, the Dallas Cup, on Friday, March 30.

The Gunners reached the last four after playing out a 1-1 draw with Red Bull Brazil at the Cotton Bowl Stadium yesterday.

Five players of Nigerian descent - goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, defenders Tobi Omole and Joseph Olowu, winger Bukayo Saka and striker Folarin Balogun - were named in the starting line-up against the Brazilian opponents.

In their first game of the tournament, Arsenal beat hosts FC Dallas 2-1 and drew goalless against Gallos Blancos de Querétaro in their second game in Bracket C.

Manchester United qualified for the knockout rounds after demolishing Higashi Fukuoka 8-0 at the Cotton Bowl, they drew 2-2 with Tigres UANL in their opener before a narrow 1-0 win over Ayomide Akinola's Toronto FC.

FIBA and NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon is the most famous Nigerian to play at the Dallas Cup, he was a goalkeeper for past winner Lagos Stars in the 80s.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : dallascup.com