Meet Rachael Adedini: Manchester United's French-born teenage striker eligible to represent Nigeria

Nigeria's senior women's national team, the Super Falcons, do not have a variety of options at the centre-forward position.

UD Granadilla Tenerife's Rinsola Babajide, reigning CAF Women's Player of the year Asisat Oshoala, alongside Pachuca's Chinwendu Ihezuo and Montpellier HSC's Ifeoma Onumonu are the names that quickly come to mind as it regards that position.

Oshoala hit her thirties earlier this month, and it is almost certain that she will not be defending her crown as the undisputed queen of the Women's game in Africa at this year's CAF awards.

This might be the end of an impeccable era. Age wise, we can say the same for Ifeoma Onumonu, not to mention her inconsistencies at international level.

This leaves the younger pair of Ihezuo and Babajide, with the latter still unable to claim a starting shirt at club level whilst also being more suited to a supporting role or playing on the wings. 

Ihezuo on the other hand, is grossly inconsistent in front of goal and is below par when it comes to decision making (no doubt regarding her quality though).

Obviously, this calls for some form of worry as regards to what the future might hold for the 9-time African champions. Well, Worry no more! Rachael Adedini is here.

Born to Nigerian parents in Le Havre, France on 20th June 2009, she currently plays as a striker for the academy team of Manchester United.

The 15-year-old began her career at French side FC ML Ingre, spending three years at the club from 2018 - 2021, before joining US Orléans LF in October 2021. 

The following year, she moved to England to join Manchester United, after spending less than a year at Orléans.

A youth international at U17 level for France, she qualifies to represent Nigeria through her parents. 

She is currently capped five times by France at U17 level and has found the back of the net on four occasions.

Adedini was part of France's squad for the 2024 UEFA U17 Women's Championships hosted in Sweden, where her country of birth bowed out of the tournament in the semi-finals, losing heavily to Spain.

Netting a 13-minute hat-trick in an 8-0 rout against Norway, as well as managing a goal against hosts Sweden in the group stages of the tournament, Rachael would need to apply for a one-time nationality switch to be able to don Nigeria's green and white jersey.

The Nigerian Football Federation would need to be proactive in their potential pursuit of the Red Devils striker and increase the Super Falcons squad depth.

Ejim Kaycee

Photo Credit: uefa.com

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