By Nelson Dafe, Benin City on August 9, 2016

In this era of talking up average talents as the “new Ronaldo”, or “Messi”, it is quite tricky trying to convince people about a true football talent. This is more so when the player has not been seen by the one to whom he’s being talked about.

But better believe this. Young Edo-based grassroots football team Benin Warriors FC have a very good young striker in Anayo Emmanuel Iwuala. The 17 years old chap showed his prolific scoring abilities as he helped Warriors to winning the recently concluded Edo State League and emerged highest scorer of the competition.

The young grassroots side took the main bowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium by storm in an unexpected string of fantastic performances which left bigger grassroots side befuddled.

Anayo was the attacking architect of the Warriors side, scoring 10 goals in five games, including what might be a record hat trick in the competition within the first  15 minutes of his team's opener against O’legacy FC of Auchi.

Stockily-built, Anayo’s strengths lie in his blistering pace which is usually preceded by some slow predatory movements. Think of a cat who steals a yard or two while anticipating his prey, and then jets off with unerring well-timed precision towards it, and you will get a picture of how Anayo’s moves towards a ball thrust forward behind defences.

His goal against Edo State top side BJ Foundation in the penultimate match of the season encapsulates what the striker is much about. A brief spell of pressure from BJ was broken up by Warriors midfield and the team’s feared counter was on. Midfield revelation Osehenoma Irorere (popularly called Abacha) collected the ball and sent a through pass that left the BJ defenders flat-footed and Anayo’s perfect positioning (another superb aspect of his game) saw him beat the offside trap. He still had about 20 yards to run with the ball. His first touch was perfect and his balance was equally good as he raced to calmly slot home despite the best efforts of the BJ ’keeper to narrow the space.

It was a typical striker’s goal, but one which many attackers without the above-mentioned attributes would easily miss as we’ve seen many times.

Attitude is an important aspect of a player’s career. By being unfazed by more illustrious opposition in the Edo State league, Anayo (and indeed his teammates) has shown huge promises of better things to come. He’s a very quiet boy outside the pitch, almost unrecognisable in a group of teammates inside his team’s camp. He usually carries a charming smile and a respectful poise that almost attempts to oppose his on-field defence-terrorising ferocity.

As national selectors and clubs continue their search for talents to improve their set up, it is to such young exciting prospects that they should look.

•Photo shows Anayo Iwuala.

Source Daily Sports

Posted August 9, 2016

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