AFCON U17: FC Barcelona battle French, Belgian clubs for Nigeria’s Yahaya Lawali
FC Barcelona have joined other top European clubs in the chase for sensational Nigeria U17 right-back Yahaya Lawali, sources have disclosed.
Despite Nigeria exiting the AFCON U17 in the Quarter-final stage, after a 2-1 loss to Burkina Faso, Lawali was a mavel to behold in the Nigerian team, with his back-to-back Man of the Match Awards in group games against Zambia and Morocco making him of one of the top stars of the tournament.
While Barcelona have been following Lawali with keen interest, French Ligue 1 clubs such as Lens, Lyon, and Strasbourg seems to be taking the lead in the race to secure his signature.
The versatile 16-year-old who can play as a right-back, left-back, midfielder and also as a winger, made the Team of the Tournament during the WAFU B regional U17 qualifying tournament which Nigeria won, in 2022 summer, following his three assist from four matches; as Nigeria dispatched Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso on their way to lifting the trophy.
Sevilla FC of Spain, Anderlecht FC and Gent FC of Belgium respectively are some of the other teams who are ready to snap up the Mahanaim FC starlet.
Yahaya Lawali played all of Nigeria’s 360 minutes at the AFCON U17, he had a hand in Nigeria’s first equalizing goal against South Africa after his corner kick was flicked-on by a South African defender for a goal scored by Charles Agada.
He made lots of attacking and defensive runs, delivered quick crosses to the box and intercepted many balls during the AFCON U17.
Considering Nigeria’s track record of producing stars at the U17 level such as Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and others, who have gone on to become global stars, it will be interesting to see where Yahaya Lawali, a defender chooses to continue his football development going forward.
Lawali was nominated in the AFCON U17 Team of the Group stage.
