'That Has Been My Dream' - Triple-Eligible Ex-Chelsea Starlet On Representing Nigeria At World Cup

Published: June 03, 2020

Former Chelsea starlet Daniel Jinadu has revealed that he was honoured to represent Nigeria at the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup, where he was first choice goalkeeper for the Golden Eaglets ahead of Joseph Oluwabusola and Sunday Stephen.

With the Nigeria U17s squad conceding goals aplenty at the regional qualifiers and U17 Africa Cup of Nations, the Nigeria U17 coaches and scout focused on strengthening the goalkeeping department leading up to the tournament in Brazil and handed an invitation to Jinadu.

Born in Nigeria seventeen years ago, Jinadu had played for England at U15 and U16 levels before he became provisionally cap-tied to Nigeria when he made his competitive debut in their World Cup opener against Hungary U17s.

Having lived in the Republic of Ireland for more than a decade before moving to England, the West Ham U18 goalkeeper can also choose to represent the Irish in future.

Speaking on his call-up to join the Nigeria U17s, Jinadu said on Instagram Live : "It was crazy, when I first saw my email, I was like I'm actually going to be on television.

"That has been my dream since young, having my name on the back of my jersey, I had not experienced that.

"There was obviously going to be pressure all the time, Obviously the coaches told the players we need to feel free but we need to make sure we know what we are doing.

"The crowd was nice, they were encouraging, it was a really good atmosphere."

Since debuting against Arsenal on January 30, 2018, Jinadu has totaled nine appearances for West Ham in the U18 Premier League.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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