By Daily Sports on July 18, 2019

The star continues to rise and shine for teenage striker Emmanuel Iwuala Anayo who has made a switch from NPFL side Delta Force to the Premier League champions Enyimba of Aba.

The most ordinary of persons can become extraordinary if they work hard. This is a truism in the case of Anayo at this time last year was only a grassroots prospect.

After a super first season in the Nigerian league that saw the young lad terrorising defences like a terrier dog let loose and also saw him listed in the rookies team of the season, the People’s Elephants, Enyimba of Aba, have pulled a big transfer success by securing his services for the upcoming season. Anayo has said his goodbyes to his Delta Force teammates and tells me he is going to miss them a lot.

“I formed a strong bond with my Delta Force teammates. We are like brothers. I will surely be keeping in touch with them,” Anayo says.

Stockily-built, Anayo’s strengths lie in his blistering pace which is usually preceded by some slow predatory movements. Think of a cat who steals a yard or two while anticipating his prey, and then jets off with unerring well-timed precision towards it, and you will get a picture of how Anayo’s moves towards a ball thrust forward behind defences.

He was invited to the Under-23 Dream Team earlier in the year but Coach Imama Amapakabo felt he had a host of other options. Anayo quietly returned to his club football and finished with a loud bang, scoring a number of goals and forcing defenders to bring him down for penalties for Delta Force.

In a previous write-up I described Anayo as a Killian Mbappe type of player and I still feel strongly so. I also believe firmly that he can genuinely offer something to the national Under-23 side and understanding exactly what he bring and how to utilise his qualities would be of great help to coach Imama.

“I will continue to work hard and hopefully convince the national team selectors of my abilities. I’m pleased with the way things are going regarding my career and I give God all the glory,” he tells me.

The 19-year-old chap showed his prolific scoring abilities as he helped Benin Warriors to winning the 2016 Edo State League and emerged highest scorer of the competition.

The young lad took the main bowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, by storm in an unexpected string of fantastic performances which left bigger grassroots sides befuddled.

Anayo was the attacking architect of the Warriors side, scoring 10 goals in five games, including what might be a record hat trick in the competition within the first 15 minutes of his team’s opener against O’legacy FC of Auchi.

Sometimes I wonder what’s more remarkable about him. Is it his exceptional discipline or his exceptional talent? In any case Emmanuel Anayo is a great talent and I’m extremely pleased to see him continue to fulfill his potentials.

Enyimba are going to be Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF champions league of 2019-2020. The Aba giants have won the competition twice, in 2003 and 2004 and will be looking to conquer Africa once again.

With a player like Anayo in their ranks, anything can happen.

“I’m ready for the challenge of fighting to bring domestic and continental honors to Enyimba. I want to hit the ground running. Enyimba are a great club and the best and most successful Nigerian clubside. The pressure is of course there to deliver because of the high standards of the club, but that’s the kind of pressure you always want as a professional,” Anayo smiles.

•Photo shows Iwuala Anayo

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 18, 2019

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