Spurs' Oluwayemi, promoted to first team training by Mourinho last season, gets late Nigeria invite

Published: July 01, 2021

England underage international Joshua Oluwayemi has earned a shock call-up to the Super Eagles ahead of the upcoming friendly against Mexico in the United States.

The news was first broken by French-based Nigerian journalist Babatunde Ojora and this website has sought additional confirmation from the player's camp as the Nigeria Football Federation have not yet officially disclosed that the goalkeeper has been added to the group.

The Super Eagles coaching staff for the friendly against Mexico, led by Austin Eguavoen, extended an invitation to Oluwayemi following the unavailability of Heartland goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa due to fitness issues.

Speaking to allnigeriasoccer.com on Thursday morning, Team Nigeria UK boss David Doherty, who is close to Oluwayemi said : "It is true that Oluwayemi has been invited for the Mexico friendly. He just informed me now".

Former Tottenham Hotspur coach Jose Mourinho promoted Oluwayemi to first-team training at the business end of last season as the north London club were short on personnel in the goalkeeping department after Alfie Whiteman underwent surgery to repair his meniscus.

Predominantly a player for Tottenham Hotspur U23s in the Premier League 2, the Anglo-Nigerian was spotted arriving with the first team when they faced Manchester United and Newcastle United in the Premier League in the second half of last season.

Born in London, Oluwayemi is eligible to represent the national teams of Nigeria and Grenada because he has played non-binding games for the Young Lions at U15 and U16 levels.

The 20-year-old comes from a family of goalkeepers; his father, Abiodun Ogunyemi, was a goalkeeper for Ogun State University, while his sibling, Tobi is also a goalkeeper at Glasgow Celtic.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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