Abdullahi Bewene: The qualities behind Baník coach’s extraordinary verdict

Abdullahi Bewene’s rapid rise in Czech football has taken a significant turn after Baník Ostrava coach Tomáš Skuhravý described the Nigerian defender as the most valuable player he has ever coached, Afrik-Foot reports.

The extraordinary assessment underlines the growing belief around the 21-year-old, who has established himself as one of the most exciting young full-backs in the Czech Republic while also forcing his way into the Super Eagles squad.

Bewene’s progress has been particularly impressive because his development has not been built around one standout quality.

Instead, the Nigerian has gradually developed a profile that combines explosive athleticism, attacking intent and versatility — qualities that have also attracted interest from other European clubs.

What makes Abdullahi Bewene so valuable?

1. His explosive pace gives him an advantage

Speed is arguably Bewene’s most obvious weapon. The Nigerian possesses the acceleration to recover quickly when possession is lost and the pace to turn defensive situations into attacking opportunities.

That was one of the qualities highlighted by Slavia Prague coach Jindřich Trpišovský after watching Bewene up close.

“I see a different player in Bewene. He has a future ahead of him. He has brutal acceleration and speed,” Trpišovský said.

Bewene can push high up the pitch without completely exposing his side because he has the recovery speed to get back into position.

At 21, there is still a pathway for him to become more efficient with those physical qualities, but the foundation is already there.

2. Bewene is more than a traditional full-back

Another reason for his growing hype is his versatility. Bewene has shown that he can operate not only as a right-back but also as a wing-back and in more advanced positions when required.

That flexibility gives coaches more options when building their teams and makes him suited to modern systems where full-backs are expected to contribute in different phases of play.

His attacking qualities are already attracting attention. Trpišovský also singled out the offensive side of Bewene’s game while acknowledging that there are still elements he needs to learn.

3. His development curve is impossible to ignore

Bewene’s rise has been remarkably quick. The two-cap Nigerian International has progressed into Baník Ostrava’s first team from the youth side, earned his maiden Super Eagles call-up and impressed on the international stage against Poland and Portugal.

His performances have subsequently attracted attention from clubs in Belgium, with Club Brugge and KAA Gent monitoring his situation before he signed a new five-year deal with Baník Ostrava.

He is fast becoming a player whose next move could have a significant impact on his career trajectory.

Belgium, in particular, could offer an interesting next step. The Belgian Pro League has provided a pathway for several Nigerian players, including Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Paul Onuachu, Tolu Arokodare and Raphael Onyedika.

For Bewene, such a move could offer exposure to European competition while placing him in an environment designed to develop young talent.

Skuhravý’s verdict

It is against that backdrop that Roman Skuhravý’s assessment becomes very significant.

“He’s the most valuable player I’ve ever coached. He’ll get the final stage. What he did there again today. I trust the players, I see interesting things there, we will improve,” the Baník coach said while discussing Bewene’s performance, as revealed by Infotbal.

Calling a 21-year-old the most valuable player he has ever coached is an extraordinary endorsement, particularly for a defender who is still at an early stage of his professional career.

The coach is not merely praising what the Nigerian is doing now. Instead, the 51-year-old is convinced that there is another level still to come.

Bewene’s development will be about refinement rather than discovering new qualities.

His decision-making in possession, defensive positioning, timing of forward runs and understanding of different tactical structures will determine how far he can go.

Full-backs often need considerable experience before becoming complete players because their role requires them to understand both defensive positioning and attacking movements.

A Super Eagles opportunity?

Nigeria’s right-back position remains highly competitive, with established players such as Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel still holding the fort.

Bewene’s emergence provides the Super Eagles with another option for the future, particularly with Ryan Alebiosu also on the cards.

For now, however, the priority should be continued development. Bewene does not need to rush his next move simply because interest is growing.

The most important thing is finding a club and environment where he can continue playing regularly while improving the areas of his game that are still very raw.