Which youngsters will break out at the 18th edition of Lagos Supremacy Cup in Lagos and become stars of the future?
We run the rule on 10 players in Part 2 of our series, as countdown for Lagos Supremacy Cup continues.
10. Taiwo Popoola [Corinthians]
An all-round forward with great movement, sharp finishing and excellent technique, Taiwo Popoola is the one man riot for Corinthians. He likes to occupy central defenders whenever his team is on transition. A tough customer to deal with, Popo will be a handful for defenders with his direct running and energy.
9. Habeeb Mubarak [SGFC]
Raw but exciting, the playmaker is always the livewire for SGFC whenever they need inspiration. Mubarak hardly gives the ball away. He is an intelligent player with wicked passes at his feet. He has quick feet and an opportunistic eye for goal. The lad can also function as a wing back. The Lagos Supremacy Cup could be a great opportunity to justify the hype around him.
8. Okoro Hycainth Ugonna [Dino SC]
Okoro has the lighting pace of a 100m sprinter, dazzling footwork and, crucially, the bravado that torments opposition defenders and makes him a joy to watch when he has space to run into. While not the finished article, the potential is clear to see. Given the way the tournament can make names in an instant and then see them disappear to Europe in the next, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him making a move abroad.
7. Akinbiyi Sodiq [Tripple 44]
Sodiq is your archetypal versatile defensive midfielder, capable of playing as either the principal holding midfielder or as the more forward-thinking of a double pivot duo, due to his mobility, passing and tactical discipline. He plays like Frenchman N’golo Kante.
Always looking to receive the ball from the centre backs, he retains and recycles possession well, creating smooth transitions from defence to attack. Interesting material to keep a close eye on.
6. Isaiah Edwin [DN10]
There is a youngster on the books of DN10. He is named Isaiah Edwin. A breakout starlet from the street, Edwin has been well moulded by coach Olajide Williams. The teenager is a tall, elegant central midfielder who orchestrates his team’s play with his excellent range of passing and eye for a defence-splitting through ball.
5. Caleb Okereke [FC Bethel]
You can always rely on FC Bethel and their reservoir to give youth a chance and their current squad does not disappoint. One player who looks as if he’ll have an increasingly important role at the Supremacy Cup is versatile attacking midfielder Caleb Okereke. The starlet possesses great vision, exquisite passing and a smooth running style, which has seen him compared to Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.
4. Jeremiah Christopher [Broad City]
An elegant, unique and skilful forward, Christopher is dazzling the Broad City faithful with his invention and audacity.
Typically a left-sided wide forward but able to play anywhere across the front line, Christo is equal parts scorer and creator as he effortless glides past defenders with his sublime footwork and slips in delicate through-balls. But there is a steel and determination to his game too, making it hard to muscle him off the ball. Voltage as he is also called, blends technical and physical qualities which make him a joy to watch and his potential is limitless.
3. Waliu Ojetoye [Ikorodu City]
Ikorodu City’s squad is brimming with interesting young prospects. One of them is Waliu Ojetoye.
A lovely crosser and comfortable on the ball, Ojetoye loves to get forward like the legendary Dani Alves and has the secret weapon of the Oga Boys. He is intelligent, strong, calculative and technically grounded.
2. Eric Ologe [Imperial]
Imperial FC have had a steady stream of exciting prospects coming through the ranks. Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is a graduate of the team and the production line isn’t showing signs of slowing up. Defensive midfielder Eric Ologe is the Army General of his team. He must have taken some tips from co owner of Imperial FC, Seyi Olofinjana who had an accomplished career as Super Eagles defensive midfielder.
The hardworking Ologe is a steely midfielder who can cover protect the backline for 120 minutes without getting tired. He is strong defensively and aerially, as well as one who offers potent attacking threat.
1. John Alex [36 Lion]
Dubbed the next Patrick Vieira, box-to-box midfielder Alex could be one of the revelations of the tourney. A powerful and muscular presence in the centre of the park, Pankere has also shown his penchant for driving forward and unleashing low driven shots from range, on top of the noteworthy defensive side to his game too.
He was a member of the Nigeria U16 Future Eagles team that travelled to Japan. He is in SS3 with heart of a PHD holder.
