UK-based publication The Guardian has released its list of the 60 most promising young footballers under 20, and four Nigerian players have made the cut, leading with Enyimba’s Daniel Daga.
The 17-year-old midfield dynamo has been hailed as Nigeria’s best young talent. The Enyimba FC starlet, who will turn 18 in January, has already drawn comparisons to Super Eagles and Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, thanks to his tireless work rate and defensive capabilities. Known for his athleticism, powerful shooting, and leadership skills, Daga has even captained Enyimba at such a young age.
The Guardian praised his maturity, stating, “It’s only a matter of time before this young superstar announces himself to a wider audience.” Daga, who was Nigeria’s youngest player at the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup, is already being courted by top European clubs, having reportedly turned down an offer from Liverpool.
The Super Eagles eligibles
Chido Obi-Martin
The 16-year-old forward made headlines when he switched from Arsenal to Manchester United. Known for his blistering pace and deadly finishing, Obi-Martin has been a prolific scorer at youth level, netting 32 goals in 18 games for Arsenal’s U17s before moving to United.
His ability to score in bulk, including a stunning 10-goal performance for Arsenal U16s against Liverpool, has earned him a spot among the world’s elite young players.
Francis Onyeka
Bayer Leverkusen’s Francis Onyeka is another Nigeria-eligible player on the list. The German-born forward, also eligible to play for Nigeria, has been in exceptional form, scoring five goals in six games for Germany U17s during the European Championship qualifiers.
Onyeka has also impressed in the UEFA Youth League, where his performances caught the eye of top scouts.
Kenneth Adejenughure
Kenneth Adejenughure, currently with Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg, completes the Nigerian quartet. Adejenughure, 17, is already being tracked by some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan.
The tricky forward made waves at the U17 Euros, scoring four goals for Austria, and is widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in his age group.