Ex-Golden Eaglet assistant coach hails NNL striker scouted by Atletico Madrid, Dortmund in January
Published: April 08, 2022
Former Golden Eaglets' assistant coach Bunmi Haruna has lauded striker Emmanuel Ihezuo after he won City FC of Abuja's player of the month for March, 2022.
Ihezuo was in Spain in January where he was scouted by legendary
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, Borussia Dortmund and a host of
clubs from Belgium.
Emmanuel has notched nine goals in seven appearances for the promotion-chasing Citizens to help them stay top of group A1 in the Nigeria National League(NNL) ahead of Elkanemi Warriors who are second on the log.
The 21 years old striker was last weekend presented with the club's player of the month award, as voted by club officials and fans despite missing out of the weekend's game against Sokoto United due to injury.
Bunmi who presented the award to the striker on behalf of the club, echoed the popular belief that football talents are abundant in Nigeria and advised the Nigeria Football Federation to look inwards in beefing up the various national teams.
"I have never seen or heard about Emmanuel before, so I was surprised to see a player of his calibre, relatively unknown in a country with a very vibrant media.
"What this points to is that, talents are abundant in Nigeria, all we need to do is fish them out and polish them to international standards.
"To score nine times in seven games in Nigeria's second division when the league is not even halfway through is not a joke. He is simply a diamond in the rough.
"He is a testimony to the fact that this country is blessed and we don't have to depend on foreign-based players all the time, Bunmi who doubles as chairman Sports Writers Association of Nigeria(SWAN) FCT chapter said.
He however advised the bullish striker not to get carried away by his recent successes.
"He should remain focused and not get carried away, because attention will now be on him and he needs to continue to deliver every week for him to get the attention of the national team handlers.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Latest News
- Passport which expired in 2018 blocked Arsenal winger from making Flying Eagles' AFCON squad
- Tottenham Hotspur offer new deal to Golden Eaglets-eligible midfielder
- Flying Eagles coach names three foreign-based stars in 30-man provisional AFCON squad
- 'Two goals of exceptionally quality' - Reims coach hails 'incredible' on-loan Gunner Balogun
- Arteta promotes U15 player to Arsenal first team training, promising GK eligible for Nigeria
- Pundit omits Madueke as he names the new players likely to be included in Chelsea's UCL squad
- 'That was going in' - McFadden reacts to Forest striker Dennis nearly scoring v Man Utd
- Arsenal loanee Balogun steals the show with first career hat-trick against Lorient
- Zambia enough test for Flying Eagles ahead U20 AFCON - Former West Brom defender
- Danish club to pocket N0.8b from Genk's sale of Onuachu to Southampton


News Categories
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Nigeria Betting Sites
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football