Ex-Gunner makes full Nigeria debut 2,264 days after winning MVP FIFA U17 World Cup

Published: January 19, 2022

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that former Arsenal starlet Kelechi Nwakali will make his starting debut for the Super Eagles when they take on Guinea-Bissau in their final group game of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday evening.

Prior to the kickoff of the ongoing tournament in Cameroon, the Diamond Football Academy product had featured in three training matches for Nigeria's senior team, against Atlético de Madrid, Liberia and Coton Sport FC de Garoua.

The SD Huesca midfielder finally made his senior debut in Nigeria's AFCON opener against Egypt, coming off the bench to replace Kelechi Iheanacho with ten minutes remaining and was subbed in for the last twenty five minutes versus Sudan.

Named the Most Valuable Player of the FIFA U17 World Cup on November 8, 2015, Nwakali is making his first start for the Super Eagles 2,264 days after winning the prestigious award in Chile, following in the footsteps of Philip Osondu, Sani Emmanuel and Kelechi Iheanacho.

The 23-year-old Nwakali is the only player in the Super Eagles AFCON squad to have captained Nigeria at U17, U20 and U23 levels.

He will be aiming to score his first goal for the senior national team against Guinea-Bissau after previously getting on the scoresheet for the Golden Eaglets, Flying Eagles and Dream Team.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel