Son of former Super Eagles striker helps England win Val de Marne Tournament

Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Wesley Okoduwa, son of retired Nigeria international striker Emmanuel Okoduwa, was part of the England U16 squad that won the prestigious Val de Marne Tournament in Paris, France last week.

The Young Lions won the tournament after beating Japan, France and Switzerland, with Okoduwa handed a starting berth in two of the three games. 

Okoduwa also attended an England U16 training camp in August, alongside Chelsea fullback Landon Emenalo, who is the son of former Super Eagles defender Michael Emenalo. 

For the second training camp held in France, he was joined in the England U16 squad by two other teenagers of Nigerian descent in the shape of West Ham United's Chinaza Nwosu and Arsenal goalkeeper Owen Asemota. 

A right-back by trade, Okoduwa made his debut for England U16s in a friendly against Italy on August 22, 2023, lasting 72 minutes on the pitch in a 3-1 loss to the hosts. 

Okoduwa has registered four appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers in this season's U18 Premier League and was a non-playing substitute for the development squad against Lincoln City in a Bristol Street Motors Trophy match last month. 

In the coming years, Okoduwa will be hoping to emulate ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, former Nigeria U23 international Bright Enobakhare, 2014 Nigeria U23 invitee Dominic Iorfa and Owen Otasowie who all rose through the academy ranks to make their first team debuts for Wolves. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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