The 2015 U17 World Cup most-valuable-player and joint-top-scorer 'Kelechi Nwakali' has received backings from many Nigerian Coaches including the former Super Eagles Player 'Dimeji Lawal' to succeed in flying colours with Arsenal football Club of England in the footstep of his predecessor and namesake 'Kelechi Iheanacho' who has recently made his UEFA Champions League debut with Manchester City this season.
The ex-Super Eagles player 'Dimeji Lawal' explained how easy it is now for young African players 'if they work hard' to find their ways into European Clubs compared to the olden days when Africans face critical challenges before they could be considered.
According to him, “Back then, one of the challenges African players faced was the quota system where clubs are forced to have specific numbers of foreign players on the roster so it is usually difficult for a young player coming from Africa to walk into a European team,”
He further explained, “Things have changed now and Kelechi Iheanacho’s rise is a shining example of what is possible if you work hard and you are willing to learn. If Nwakali also puts his head down, he will make it. And that “Things have changed now and Kelechi Iheanacho’s rise is a shining example of what is possible if you work hard and you are willing to learn. If Nwakali also puts his head down, he will make it.
In Mr Dimeji Lawal's statement, he said “The players have the opportunity of going to a club where he can learn the rudiments of the game by training with top players using the best facilities money can buy. Adding that “This will also impact on his performance for the national team so the benefits to all concerned is immense.”
He added, saying “This is the best age [for Nwakali] to go to Europe and Arsenal have the facilities to help them settle quicker into life over there than even most of the so-called smaller teams.”
However he gave him som words of advice to be focussed, determined and be humbled so as to reach the peak of world football, “He must be focused on what he’s doing, determined to be the best, professional in attitude to work and have respect for his coaches and teammates. If he can do these, the sky will be his starting point.
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