Five Interesting Facts About Nigeria U17 Hat-trick Hero Dubbed The 'New Victor Moses'

Published: October 30, 2019

Ibrahim Said dominated the front and back pages after netting a hat-trick to help Nigeria qualify for the round of sixteen at the ongoing FIFA U17 World Cup with a game to spare, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Having caught the eye in the Golden Eaglets opening day win against Hungary, Said has been the standout player for the five-time world champions since the start of the competition in Brazil.

Here are five interesting facts about Ibrahim Said :

1) Said returned to Dabo Babes Academy, Kano in 2017 after a stint with Zoo United. He was previously .playing for the feeder team of Dabo Babes Academy.

2) He was discovered by Golden Eaglets coach Manu Garba during a scouting programme in Kano in 2017. Said was one of the four Dabo Babes players selected by the Nigeria U17 boss.

3) An MRI scandal almost prevented him from representing Nigeria at the U17 World Cup. He was dropped from the Golden Eaglets squad to the U17 AFCON due to an administrative lapse.

Said was on grade 5 when the initial test which might have been tampered with was conducted. He was invited again to the team ahead of the tournament in Brazil but was not part of the squad to the UEFA Assist Tournament in Turkey last month. Eventually he was included on a 25-man provisional roster before making the final list.

4) He has been nicknamed 'Any Number' by his Golden Eaglets teammates and officials. Although his favorite position is attacking midfield, he is also comfortable playing as a right and left winger, holding midfielder, right wing-back and right fullback. He is very skillful and has been likened to Chelsea loanee Victor Moses.

5) Said is attracting interest from teams based in Belgium, England, Netherlands and Sweden and the number is set to increase after his masterclass display in the 3-2 win against Ecuador.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : fifa.com