Talented Arsenal winger of Nigerian parentage Bukayo Saka made his competitive debut for England U21s, a day before his nineteenth birthday, as the Young Lions thrashed Kosovo 6-0 in a European Championship qualifier.
The PFA Young Player of the Year nominee was named in the starting lineup ahead of club teammate Reiss Nelson, Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ryan Sessegnon, who have all made more professional appearances than the Anglo-Nigerian whizkid.
Saka was denied a goal on his debut when the Kosovo goalkeeper Florian Smakiqi came out to parry his shot in the first half and he was later replaced by Hudson-Odoi with 62 minutes gone.
A hat-trick from Eddie Nketiah and goals from substitutes Nelson, Ryan Sessegnon and Jude Bellingham helped the Young Lions register a comprehensive win at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina.
With Saka on the radar of the Nigeria Football Federation, Friday evening's game was monitored by Super Eagles fans and one of the things they noted was the Arsenal starlet picked over the more experienced Hudson-Odoi in the starting XI.
Here's what Nigeria fans are saying on Twitter :
@frankmafua : "Saka benching Hudson-Odoi".
@naphtrax : "Even Saka is looking too big for it and it's his first time"
@Iacaudo : "Had a average game for his standards but I simply think it was just too uninteresting for him".
@Aj_Toba : "Wait, CHO is in bench and saka Is starting? Imagine my shock".
@_TOMADE : "Saka betrayed us".
@Mr_Oyedele : "This Rotimi Bukayo Saka Okungbaye will never play for Nigeria. Smh."
@princetegaton : "Gunner crying Saka is better than Greenwood. Guess who's in the senior team Greenwood >>>>>>"
@naphtrax : "Apparently Saka is playing LWB ?"
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : thefa.com
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All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
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