Arsenal midfielder handed maiden Nigeria call-up ahead of U23 AFCON qualifier
Published: October 23, 2022
Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Arsenal-owned midfielder Tim Akinola has received a maiden international call-up for Nigeria's Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifying match against Tanzania scheduled to take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan on Saturday, October 29.
Born in Lokoja, Kogi State, Akinola has pledged his international future to Nigeria over England, having accepted an invitation from the Nigeria Football Federation to play for the Olympic Eagles, otherwise called the Dream Team VIII.
The 2001-born defensive midfielder will land in Lagos from the United Kingdom at 1645 hours on Sunday and plans to spend the night in the country's commercial capital before traveling to Ibadan on Monday morning to link up with the Olympic Eagles.
Akinola is a player well known to the coaches in Nigeria's youth team setup as Flying Eagles boss Ladan Bosso was keeping tabs on him about two years ago with a view to handing him a call-up but his team failed to qualify for the 2021 U20 AFCON.
The 21-year-old has experienced first team football this year, making appearances for Scottish Premiership side Dundee United and Chesterfield in the National League.
Tanzania forced 1996 Olympic champions Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in the first leg staged at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Captain Success Makanjuola broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when he converted a penalty but the home team equalised in the 74th minute to leave the second leg finely poised.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- FA Cup: Two Nigerians help Plymouth Argyle end Liverpool's quadruple dream
- Super Eagles midfielder Dele-Bashiru nets third league goal in Lazio's demolition of Monza
- 2026 WCQ: Three changes Nigerians expect in Eric Chelle's first Super Eagles squad announcement
- 'Has an eye for goal' - Ex-Spurs GK praises Dennis for first half display in Blackburn's defeat to Wolves
- Emmanuel Dennis squad number revealed ahead of Blackburn Rovers first team debut
- Former West Ham winger urges George to challenge Sancho for starting spot at Chelsea
- Bayer Leverkusen striker Boniface lost N56 billion after failed winter move to Al-Nassr
- Lille striker Akpom joins Super Eagles stars Osimhen, Moffi, Simon in scoring on Ligue 1 debut
- Super Eagles not ruled out for Arsenal's Nwaneri but Iwobi, NFF yet to reach out to parents
- 'That's why the 10 teams came up' - Former Chelsea striker expects Rangers to cash in on Dessers


- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football