Samuel Chukwueze, Mikel, 3 other U17 stars who became regulars in Super Eagles

Samuel Chukwueze, Mikel, 3 other U17 stars who became regulars in Super Eagles

Nigeria is the most successful football national team at U17 level, winning five editions of FIFA staged competitions and first country to win the tournament, since its inception in 1985.

These youngsters have gone on to represent the senior team and became regulars at some point in the team.

Some have even captained the Super Eagles squad while other have exhibited their talents with top European clubs and have become recognizable brands on their own.

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These are five Super Eagles players who have gone on to become outstanding Super Eagles players.

1. Nwankwo Kanu

Kanu was part of the team that won the Japan 1993 edition of the FIFA World Cup and he was not even a regular at the tournament.

The former Iwuanyawu Nationale forward finished the tournament with five goals but joined Ajax in 1994 and went on to win the Champions League with the Dutch club in the same year.

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Till date, the lanky striker is one pf Nigeria's most successful footballers and played for top European clubs like Inter Milan, Arsenal, West Brom and the likes.

2. John Mikel Obi

Mikel's U17 spell ended in a disappointing tournament in Finland where the Golden Eaglets were knocked out in the group phase with the narrowest of decisions.

But scouts came running after the promising midfielder who signed for Lyn Oslo in Norway before his controversial move to Chelsea two years later.

Today Mikel is the most successful Nigerian player winning Premier League titles, FA Cup, the Champions League, the Europa League and an AFCON trophy.

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3. Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho took the world by storm with his electrifying performance at the 2013 edition at the United Arab Emirates.

He won the tournament's golden boot and helped Nigeria lift the trophy for the fourth time asking and Iheanacho signed a juicy deal with Premier League side Manchester City in that same year.

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Iheanacho has gone on to represent Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup and is among the top twenty goal scorers in the senior national team at just age 23.

4. Victor Osimhen

Till date, nobody has beaten the goal scoring record of Osimhen at the U17 World Cup as he bagged 10 goals in the 2015 edition.

Osimhen is currently banging in goals with Ligue 1 side Lille despite several disappointing spells in Germany and Belgium.

The 20-year-old is now Super Eagles No.9 following the retirement Odion Ighalo from international duties with Nigeria.

5. Samuel Chukwueze

He is arguably the biggest Nigerian property in Europe as several clubs are lurking for the signature of the promising winger.

Chukwueze was part of the team that won the U17 World Cup in 2015 but his progress was quiet until when he was on fire in La Liga in the 2018-19 season.

The winger announced his arrival in the Super Eagles at the AFCON 2019 tournament where he helped Nigeria win bronze at the tournament.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Kelechi Iheanacho's Carabao Cup goal against Burton Albion has been nominated for Leicester City's Goal of the month prize for October 2019.

Seven goals were shortlisted for the accolade and Iheanacho's strike in the English League Cup was also selected.

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Source: Legit.ng

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