3SC U15 COACH: MORE YOUNGSTERS TO FOLLOW AKINKUNMI AMOO'S PATH

|By Oluseyi Adedire|

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After the emergence of Akinkunmi Amoo at the 2017 edition of NPFL LaLiga U15 Promises, Shooting Stars U15 Coach Adeyemo Ayodeji Charles expects "at least ten" more of the club's U15 players to make a similar breakthrough soon.

The 'Young' Oluyole Warriors reached the final stage at the recently concluded 2022 NPFL LALIGA U15 Promises and two of thier players (Samuel Ajayi and Ganiyu Samad) were named among team of the tournament by the organizers.

Though, Shooting Stars lost to Remo Stars U15 team at the final stage but the team performed very well. At the group stage, Shooting Stars U15 team pummeled Enyimba FC 7-1 in their first match and held Katsina United to a 1-1 draw. With four points, 3SC topped the group to set up a quarter final match with Sunshine Stars and Ayodeji's boys came from a goal down to beat the 'Owena Waves' 2-1, - the same score line they had in a rematch against Katsina United at the semi final.

And Coach Adeyemo Ayodeji Charles, who has a long history of bringing young players into limelight in his coaching career, says more are on the way.

"We have more than ten players that are ready to breakthrough into any Nigeria professional football teams within the next two to three years. Apart from Samad, Abass and Samuel, there is a core of six or seven players -- I do not name them all now -- who are really a guarantee for the future of Shooting Stars and top clubs in Europe just like Amoo Akinkunmi." He told OyoSportsNews.

Akinkunmi Ayobami Amoo, a product of Brightville Academy in Ibadan before his move to Sidos FC in Lagos was the captain for Shooting Stars U15 team at the NPFL LaLiga U15 Promises 2017 edition under the tutelage of Coach Yinka Popoola. He began his international career with Nigeria in the 2019 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, and scored in his debut in a 5–4 group stage win against Tanzania. The youngster grabbed two assists and hit the back of the net once in the game and was named man of the match.

Akinkunmi Amoo, a predominantly left-footed winger, who plays often on the right side of the attack but can also function behind the centre forward caught the world’s attention and thereafter penned a four deal with Hammarby in 2020. He scored 13 goals and provided nine assists in 48 appearances. In 2022, Amoo signed for FC Copenhagen, reported to be around €4.4 million is ‘the largest sale so far in the club’s history’.

However, Ayodeji added that it is tricky to decide when a player is ready to make the transition to first-team football, but that it usually becomes evident after watching them train with the senior squad on a daily basis.

"You monitor his individual performances in training compared to the players who have a regular part in the Premier League," Ayodeji said. "Once you see that he can match that, you question yourself [if he is ready]. And if a player manages consistently to make you wonder, then he might be ready at some stage you find a moment to put him in." He concluded.