Arsenal and West Brom starlets target call-up to Nigeria's Olympic Team

Published: August 19, 2021

Allnigeriasoccer.com has been told that highly-rated Arsenal youngster Tim Akinola is targeting a call-up to Nigeria's Olympic Team ahead of the start of the qualifiers for the 2023 African Games.

Akinola is eligible to play international future for England and Nigeria but the Kogi-born starlet is leaning towards representing the three-time African champions.

The 20-year-old had been on the radar of Flying Eagles coach Ladan Bosso late last year with a view to naming him on the roster for the 2021 AFCON but the national team failed to qualify for the competition in Mauritania.

Akinola was one of the highest appearance makers for the Gunners U21 and U23 sides last term with 26 games under his belt - an indication that he is highly rated by the youth team coaching staff - and was called up to first-team training on countless occasions.

It is also understood that towering West Brom central defender Kevin Joshua is interested in representing the Nigeria U23s even though the 19-year-old qualifies to wear the jersey of Republic of Ireland youth teams.

Joshua, who has been tipped to make his first team debut for the Baggies this season, established himself as a key player for the U23s shortly after his move in March following a successful trial, starting their last seven games in last season's Premier League 2.

Another Republic of Ireland-eligible teenager in University College Dublin A.F.C striker Sam Ayoola also wishes to play for the Dream Team VIII.

Ayoola, who stands at 6ft 4in, has been described by his minders as a physical, big, strong, athletic and pacy attacker, and has a similar playing style to Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku.

The 18-year-old is already being watched by some of the big clubs in the English Premier League.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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