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Adeleke double fires Nigeria into WAFU B U-20 Championship semi-finals
Flying Eagles striker Abdulmuiz Adeleke scored twice in the second half as Nigeria beat Togo 3-0 to reach the semi-finals of the WAFU B U-20 Championship.
The two sides were level at 0-0 at half-time, but Adeleke broke the deadlock after the interval before adding a second goal to complete an impressive individual performance.
His display earned him the Man of the Match award, while the brace took his tournament total to four goals. Adeleke had previously scored twice in Nigeria’s 4-2 win over Ghana in his opening match of the competition.
The teenage forward said qualification for the semi-finals had been the team’s main target and praised his team-mates for securing the result against Togo.
“The game was a good game and we got the win,” Abdulmuiz toldDagaShotz. “Obviously, this was the game we were waiting for to qualify us for the semifinals.”
Nigeria’s victory ensured they progressed to the last four, with Adeleke saying the team had been focused on achieving that objective.
The striker also called on supporters in Nigeria to continue backing the Flying Eagles for the remainder of the tournament. He believes the team are capable of going all the way and winning the WAFU B U-20 Championship trophy.
“I pray Nigerians keep supporting us to the end, hopefully we are going to win the trophy,” he noted.
Adeleke’s performances have also attracted interest from clubs in Europe. He has previously been linked with a move to Premier League side Chelsea, who are reportedly keen to sign him when he turns 18.
Allnigeriasoccer.com exclusively reported that Adeleke has trained with both Chelsea and Ligue 1 side Strasbourg. The promising forward is understood to have impressed during his sessions with Chelsea.
Those displays are believed to have increased the Premier League club’s interest in the teenager. Several other leading European clubs are also monitoring his progress ahead of a possible move when he becomes eligible to sign professionally.
For now, Adeleke’s immediate focus is on helping the Flying Eagles complete their campaign successfully. His goals against Togo have taken Nigeria into the semi-finals and strengthened his position as one of the standout players in the tournament.
The Flying Eagles will now continue their bid to win the WAFU B U-20 Championship, with Adeleke hoping to maintain the form that has made him one of the competition’s most influential attackers.
By Adeyemi Adewale