Taiwo Awoniyi
This young lad moved from his marginal role at the 2013 Under-17 world youth championship to being an integral part of the Under-20s in qualifying games and at the tournament proper.
He finally cementing his position as Nigeria’s top teen with a brace against Zambia to qualify Nigeria for the All Africa Games after he was drafted to the team following a 0-0 draw at home in the first leg.
Taiwo Awoniyi has been a special revelation this year. Everyone watched with awesome wonder how the young lanky striker has matured into a top notch footballer.
Awoniyi scored 6 goals to win both the highest goal scorer and the most valuable player (MVP) at the Super 6 tournament in February. In March, he spearheaded the strike force of Nigeria’s U20 team, Flying Eagles, to win CAF African U20 Championship in Senegal. He scored 3 goals to become the second highest goal scorer, behind his captain, Muhammad Musa.
Although Awoniyi couldn’t help Nigeria’s Flying Eagles at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, after his team conceded a 19th minute goal to lose 0-1 to Germany in the Round of 16.
This however didn’t stop Liverpool from signing this young lad on transfer day deadline.
The 18-year-old joined the Reds having previously represented Imperial Academy in Nigeria.
Awoniyi immediately joined 2 Bundesliga side FSV Frankfurt on loan.
He also played a part in the Nigeria’s Dream Team VI success at the just concluded AFCON U-23 championship where Nigeria won the cup and qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics.
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