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Nairaland Forum / Entertainment / Sports / 12-year-old Prodigy That Could Spark A Bidding War Between Nigeria And The Us (624 Views)
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12-year-old Prodigy That Could Spark A Bidding War Between Nigeria And The Us by playboy99(m): 9:32am On Jan 24, 2016 |
The FC Dordrecht U-14 striker is a
potential Super Eagle but he is
taking it one step at a time as he
hopes to emulate his heroes
Yekini, Amokachi, Okocha and
Adepoju one day
Lateef Omidiji Jr comes highly
recommended. The 12-year-old
US-born striker currently plays
for the Under-14 team of
Netherlands second division side
Dordrecht FC.
However, he already has a place
reserved for him in the Nigeria
U15 side based on first hand
scouting by its coach Danladi
Nasidi.
Coach Nasidi traveled to the US to
watch him play in 2014 and
came out of the experience
knowing he had something on
his hands.
“He has speed, focus, the
technique is so good, the tactical
approach is fine and he has the
physical ability. These things
combine to make a good
footballer,” Nasidi told Goal.
“He’s a small boy and if he comes
to play for Nigeria, it will be good
for Nigeria,” he declared.
Perhaps not every 12-year-old
gets to be spoken so highly of at
his age. Lateef Jr. is currently
leading scoring at his youth side
despite being two years younger
than his teammates and
opponents.
He told Goal that he would like to
represent Nigeria someday like
his heroes Rasheed Yekini, Daniel
Amokachi, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha
and Mutiu Adepoju, players he
grew up watching on home
video tapes with his father and
grandfather.
“Although I have received
interest from USA Football,”
Lateef Jr. told Goal, “my heart lies
with my fatherland and I'm
hopeful of a call up from the
coach Nasidi-led U13s/U15s this
year.”
Coach Nasidi is keenly following
the development of the prodigy,
something he must stay alerted
to as there seems to be a lot of
eyes.
“Many countries are interested in
him, but since I’m monitoring his
activities, I want to make sure we
get hold of him before any other
country,” Nasidi said.
His father also wants him to play
for Nigeria despite the interest
from the United States and its
alluring potentials.
“I love my nation and I put that
love of Nigeria in my kids very
early. I tell them you are not just
American, you're Nigerian-
American,” Mr Omidiji told Goal.
Sophia, Lateef Jr.'s older sister
was called up to the Nigeria U20
Women's team in 2015.
"He has received an invite from
the Nigerian U13/U15 coach
who watched him play and was
impressed with his eye for goal,
speed and technique. He is also
quite strong which is why he has
always played 1-2 years up in
age groups to get challenged,”
he said.
For now, Lateef Jr. continues to
develop his skills in the Dutch
system where he hopes to keep
getting the kind of challenge that
would make him a top player in
future.
“Since coming to the
Netherlands, they have turned
me into a more versatile player
so coming from the United States
as a number 9, they've taught me
how to play 7, 8, 9 and 10 so I
can play four positions,” Lateef Jr.
said.
“Right wing, left wing, center
mid and striker, they call me
speedy here in Holland because
of my speed but what I'm most
proud about is my technical
ability.
“I am proud to be able to
combine my natural Nigerian
style with what I learned in
America and what I'm now
learning in the Netherlands.”
|
Re: 12-year-old Prodigy That Could Spark A Bidding War Between Nigeria And The Us by Nobody: 12:37pm On Jan 24, 2016 |
Wao. I have seen his video on YouTube. The young lad has high prospects. He may end up becoming one of Naija greatest winger. My father will say, " A promising talent must undergo a rigorous training to become a finished product". I wish him luck in his career. |
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