Who is Ridwan Popoola? Meet 19-year-old Al-Wasl midfielder invited by Super Eagles boss Chelle

Ridwan Popoola has gone from Lagos grassroots football to Hungary and then the United Arab Emirates in less than two years, Afrik-Foot reports.

Now, the 19-year-old midfielder has another step ahead of him.

Popoola has confirmed that he has received an invitation to join the Super Eagles. Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has been impressed by his progress but the teenager is not expected to feature in the September Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. His invitation is linked to Nigeria’s October friendly against Russia.

The story is remarkable because Popoola is still at the start of his senior career. Yet he has already played top-flight football in Hungary, moved to Al-Wasl in Dubai and started the 2026-27 season as a regular in the UAE.

Ridwan Popoola: From Nigerian grassroots football to Europe

Popoola’s full name is Abdulrasaq Ridwan Popoola. He was born on November 14, 2006, and stands at 1.91 metres. His main position is defensive midfield, although he can also play in central midfield. He is right-footed.

His early development included Olukismet FC before he joined Lagos-based Seamoriow FC. That pathway became important in February 2025 when Kisvárda signed him from Nigeria and was given his first competitive appearance in April, against Paks in the Hungarian Cup quarter-final.

Kisvárda gave Ridwan Popoola senior football

Ridwan Popoola did not spend his entire first season sitting on the edge of the first team.

The youngster was quickly thrown into the thick of action as he played seven league matches in Hungary’s second tier during the 2024-25 campaign after the club’s promotion push. He also played in the Hungarian Cup.

His real breakthrough came in the following season. Kisvárda returned to Hungary’s top division, the NB I, and Popoola became a regular midfielder.

He played 28 league matches, starting 26 of them, and accumulated 2,159 minutes. He scored once, with his goal coming against Paks. His season also included eight yellow cards and one red card.

At 18 and 19, he was playing regular first-team football in a European top division.

رضوان بوبولا ضد كلباء – الجولة 2 – 2026/27

Ridwan Popoola pic.twitter.com/8kjGxbvr5f

— EscaAE (@EscaComps) August 22, 2026

The Al-Wasl move came next

In July 2026, Popoola moved again, this time to Al-Wasl in the UAE. Kisvárda confirmed the permanent transfer on July 6, saying Popoola had travelled to Dubai to complete his new contract.

The move gave him another change of football environment. Instead of continuing in Hungary, Popoola began his first season in the UAE Pro League with Al-Wasl.

He has quickly become part of the team’s regular midfield group.

By September 14, he had played six competitive matches for Al-Wasl and started all six. That included five UAE league appearances and one AFC Champions League Elite appearance. He had played 472 minutes and collected two yellow cards.

His recent run includes a full 90 minutes against Al Ain on September 10. Four days later, he played 77 minutes against Al Qadsiah in the AFC Champions League Elite before being booked.

That means Popoola is entering the international break with regular senior football behind him.

What does Ridwan Popoola bring?

Popoola’s position gives a clue to the type of player he is.

He is primarily a defensive midfielder, with the qualities to also deliver a solid job at central midfield. His 1.91m frame gives him a physical presence in the middle of the pitch, while his ball-winning ability, work rate and composure in possession have also been praised.

His game is not built around goals. His value is more closely connected to the work he does in midfield, where he can provide defensive cover and help his team move the ball forward.

That profile gives Chelle another type of young midfielder to assess.

لاعبين أجانب مواليد (2005)فما فوق: (57)

🌍 اللاعب: [ رضوان بوبولا ]
💎 [ Ridwan Popoola ]
🇳🇬الجنسية : [ نيجيريا ]
🗓️ مواليد: [14/11/2006]([19 ] عام)
📏 الطول: [1،91 ] م
👟 القدم: [ اليمنى ]
⚽️ المركز : [ محور ]
🏟️ النادي: [ الوصل 🇦🇪]
💰 القيمة السوقية: [ 600 الف… pic.twitter.com/z32zwI50SC

— SPORTS WORLD (@TalentScout200) September 11, 2026

Super Eagles next chapter for Ridwan Popoola

Ridwan Popoola’s development and displays have caught the attention of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle.

The Malian tactician will not include Popoola in Nigeria’s squad for the September AFCON 2027 qualifiers. Rather, the teen midfielder will be a part of the selection for the Super Eagles October 6 friendly against Russia.

That game fits into Chelle’s wider plan for Nigeria’s young players.

Chelle is combining his Super Eagles role with responsibility for Nigeria’s U23 team. The idea is to give Chelle a chance to assess players who could form part of Nigeria’s Olympic qualification plans.

Popoola is therefore entering the senior national-team picture through a development pathway rather than as an established Super Eagles player.