Flying Eagles Striker Likened To Ibrahimovic Attracting Interest From Bayern, Marseille, Genk; Top Nigerian Coach Tips Him For Big Future

Emeka affectionately called the 'Goal alert' was part of the Nigerian U-20 side that was eliminated in the round of 16 stage of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland in 2019.

Former Plateau United and Akwa United head coach Maikaba was himself a coach whom Chinonso played under so has first hand knowledge of the qualities that the Water FC possess.

"He can hold the ball up, he runs in behind, he has two good feet, he can head, he can finish, he has a bit of pace," Maikaba said of Emeka who has similar playing style as AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"Physically he is strong enough, so he has all the attributes to excel in Europe," Maikaba further enthused about the striker.

Interestingly transfer speculations surrounding the young sensation according to Maikaba will not weigh on his shoulders but rather there has been massive improvements in his game despite attention from defenders.

A transfer fee of about £3m (approximately 1.4 billion naira) has been deemed sufficient to take the talented youngster to any of the European clubs.

"What's impressed me most is as the spotlight has grown on him, as he's talked about, given more praise, and as
defenders are becoming more aware of him, he's taken his game on and kept producing," Maikaba stressed.

"Transfer links is a good sign, it's almost like he thrives on that little bit of pressure and expectation to do what he's done," the former Kano Pillars and Akwa United head coach admitted.

Emeka who was in the U-23 Nigerian side to the African Games where he scored twice to help the Paul Aigbogun side to the finals has made only 29 appearances in his fledgling career with Water FC but admirably has scored 26 goals with 15 assists to his credit.

Izuchukwu Okosi