By Francis Achi
If there is any player that has captured the minds of football fans watching the training sessions and friendly games of the Flying Eagles at the FIFA goal project, Moshood Abiola Stadium, that player is definately Onuche Ogbelu.
Ogbelu is the teenage sensation in the Flying Eagles, with distinct football qualities as a defensive midfielder and many are just amazed that he is still a Secondary school student of Fosla Academy, Abuja powered by Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi, former NFF President.
Fosla Academy is a classical example where football is played in conjunction with education, and Ogbelu has taken the conducive atmosphere of the school located at Karishi, Abuja to develop himself with double- edged sword of education and football.
At a time when his classmates are preparing to write WAEC and NECO, Ogbelu is on a national assignment at the camp of the Flying Eagles preparing for WAFU B U 20 tournament in Niamey, Niger Republic beginning next week.
At 16 years old, the highly talented kid- wonder has shown tremendous maturity in all the friendly games played by the Flying Eagles and his contributions on the pitch had the mark of excellence.
He has great control of the ball, very energetic in the midfield tussle against opponents and he is blessed with both short and long range passes that can connect his attacking teammates, thereby causing some troubles for the opponents.
His calmness on the ball at anxious moments is a beauty to behold and it is hoped that Ogbelu will play a part in the quest of the Flying Eagles to pick a qualification ticket to African Youth Championship later in the year.
Ladan Bosso, the chief coach of the Flying Eagles has demonstrated great courage by unleashing this raw football diamond to the consciousness of football loving Nigerians and from all indications, the teenager has not disappointed.
“I love the fact that Onuche is willing to learn and he is learning fast. He has shown maturity on the field despite his very young age. He is ready to play any role in the team,” Ladan Bosso told www.totorinews.com exclusively.
The NFF youth football development is actively being implemented and we hope that Ogbelu will tremendously develop his game to the optimal level as a professional footballer, sought after by great clubs in Europe.