Dallas Cup : Six Arsenal Nigerian Starlets Hoping To Follow In The Footsteps Of Hakeem Olajuwon

Published: March 25, 2018

Six talented Nigerian youngsters are in line to represent Arsenal at the prestigious 2018 Dallas Cup.

According to Arsenal youth-team guru Jeorge Bird, Folarin Balogun, Arthur Okonkwo, James Olayinka, Joseph Olowu, Tobi Omole and Bukayo Saka have been named to the Gunners U18 provisional roster for the trip to the United States.

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo may not be in the traveling party to America as he is presently with England U17s squad alongside three other players of Nigerian descent Xavier Amaechi, Ajibola Alese and Faustino Anjorin.

Both Olowu and Omole are defenders, Olayinka is a right midfielder, Balogun a striker while Saka is a versatile winger.

Nigerian sides Lagos Stars and Trebor Lions won the Dallas Cup in 1982 and 1985 respectively; FIFA and NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem the Dream Olajuwon represented the Lagos side in this competition.

Arsenal will face FC Dallas U19 Academy at the Cotton Bowl Stadium on March 25 before meeting Gallos Blancos de Querétaro of Mexico the following day at MoneyGram Park.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com