Ugochukwu, nephew of former Super Eagles CB, scores on France U19 debut Saturday afternoon

Highly-rated Rennes youngster Lesley Ugochukwu helped three-time European champions at U19 level, The Little Blues return to winning ways on Saturday afternoon by getting on the scoresheet in a 2-0 victory over Finland.

France U19s are taking part in an friendly tournament holding in Serbia this international break. 

Ugochukwu - nephew of former Super Eagles central defender Onyekachi Apam - was a non-playing substitute as the French side were beaten 2-0 by Portugal in their opening match of the Stevan Vilotic-Cele Tournament on Thursday, September 22.

Sporting the number 7, Ugochukwu was handed his debut by manager Lionel Rouxel against Finland and it took the midfielder less than eleven minutes to score his first goal for the France U19s, before Lenny Pirringuel doubled the advantage at minute 28.

The French are using the tournament to prepare for the qualifying round of the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship scheduled for November 16 to 22 in Scotland.

Should Ugochukwu be given minutes in one of the matches against Iceland, Kazakhstan or Scotland, he would become provisionally cap-tied to his country of birth, for whom he has played nine times in non-binding games at U18 level before his promotion to the U19 squad. 

His father informed allnigeriasoccer.com in April that his son's international future lies with France, rather than three-time African champions Nigeria. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel