30-Goal Chelsea Winger Headlines Nigeria U17 Roster For AFCON; WAFU-UFOA MVP In

Published: April 07, 2019

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that free-scoring Chelsea starlet Adrian Akande will be the headline name when the Nigeria Football Federation announces the Golden Eaglets roster for the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in the coming days.

Aged only fifteen years, Akande has been included in the squad traveling to Tanzania after impressing the Golden Eaglets coaching staff led by Manu Garba while training with the team.

The highly-rated teen had to adapt to the unfavorable weather conditions in Abuja and playing against much bigger boys.

Though it is envisaged that he will be a bit-part player during the U17 AFCON, he is highly regarded by the Nigeria Football Federation and the coaching staff, who plan to build the team around him if they qualify for the World Cup.

Akande, who plays for Chelsea's U15 team, has tallied 30 goals for the London club so far this season and recently rejected a call-up to England U16s squad for this month's Montaigu Tournament.

Meanwhile, the Most Valuable Player at the WAFU-UFOA Zone B qualifiers, Samson Tijani has been named in the 21-man squad despite earlier concerns about his MRI test.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel