Nigeria U17 Star Amoo On Comparisons With Messi, Best Position, What Went Wrong In Brazil

Published: November 10, 2019

Akinkunmi Amoo was disappointed that the Golden Eaglets did not achieve their target of reaching at least the semifinal of the 2019 U17 World Cup following a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands on Wednesday morning and has blamed defensive frailties for their exit.

However, the Sidos Academy wonderkid left the tournament with his reputation intact, providing three assists in his last three games, no wonder he is the Golden Eaglets player attracting the most interest from European clubs.

''We did well but unfortunately we lost to the Netherlands in the round of 16 due to lack of communication with each other but our performance was very good,'' Amoo said to allnigeriasoccer.com.

''Our aim was to reach the semifinal and then focus on the final if we qualify.

''The defenders were not communicating well, second goal we conceded against Netherlands four of our defenders were together.''

Amoo revealed that the players held a team meeting after they struggled to win their first two matches against Hungary and Ecuador, and coach Manu Garba instructed them to attack and defend as a team.

He said : ''We had a meeting together, discussed about everything and decided to focus on our next game with Australia.

''We played well against Australia but luck was against us, we created a lot of chances, maximum of 34 chances we created that day.

''We played 4-4-2 diamond formation but for the coach it is 1-8-1, that's what he told us to play.

''Tijani was the team leader on the pitch. Anybody can lead, even me, I can position the players, we encourage each other.''

When asked to clarify on his best position on the pitch, Amoo answered : ''My best position is attacking midfield but at U17 the coach suggested that I should start from the wing. I was deployed as the playmaker no matter the position''.

The Golden Eaglets number 13 stressed that he does not like imitating footballers but admitted that he models his game after Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

''I model my game after Messi. Some people say I play like Messi, some people say my stature is like Shaqiri. I play my game according to myself, according to where I am told to play.

''I don't like watching players, if I watch players I may try and copy them on the pitch and I believe I'll make mistakes trying to do what they are doing. For me, Messi is the best.''

Amoo concluded by saying that God will decide his next career move amid reports linking him with the likes of Real Madrid, PSG, Ajax Amsterdam and Leicester City among others.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel