Benin City’s ‘Kante’ expects great things for grassroots football this year

By Daily Sports on January 19, 2017

Samuel Ogbuku is a midfielder who plays his club football for Benin Warriors. He captained the team to their surprise Edo state league win last year when they became the first team to win the tournament in their first year of participation.

A fine central midfielder, 16-year-old Ogbuku has drawn comparisons with Chelsea’s midfielder Ngolo Kante because of his all-action style of play, characterised by tough tackling, magnificent timing of the ball, good ball distribution and an engine for all round stamina play.

As the football year begins, there are hopes that young players like Ogbuku can shine and go on to better things in the game.

Ogbuku says he expects many grassroots players to hit the heights this season and get big contracts. “There are so many good grassroots players around. I just hope we can show the stuff we are made of and that there would be important people watching,” he says.

At the moment, many grassroots sides are bracing for the Edo challenge cup competition which is one of the only two NFF-organised competitions in the state for ‘free-age’ grassroots clubs.

Many fans in Benin City are gearing up to see the best of local football. Ogbuku says he and his team are looking forward with excitement.

“Benin Warriors want to go out and just do well. We surprised many by winning the state league last year, but we are well known now and there is more pressure. But if you want to play football at the highest level you have to accept such pressures and go out and give your best.”

One football fan said he’s enthusiastic about watching Benin City’s ‘Kante’ in the FA Cup.

“I want to see him play against the likes of Bendel Insurance. I think that’s a good platform to assess how good he is. But I’m sure he has the talent to reach the very heights that he can get in football.”

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 19, 2017


 

You may also like...
Why I invited Ighalo for Libya double header...

Mourinho Volunteers As Food Delivery Driver

Paul Hamilton: Where is NFF? Where are sports-loving...

Chelsea and Arsenal suffer from ‘FIFA Virus’

Akpeyi Wins Kaizer Chiefs’ Award After Impressive Performance...

Amuneke leads Flying Eagles, Manu drops to U17s...

 

Latest News Guinness World Record: Davido cheers on Nigerian chess master, Onakoya in New York Boniface reacts to making Bundesliga 2023/24 XI shortlist S’Eagles to get new coach in two weeks – Sports minister Guinness World Record: 16 hours in, Nigerian Onakoya remains unbeaten in chess marathon Juventus ordered to pay Ronaldo €9.7m unpaid salaries Who Goes Through? Aruna exits 2024 ITTF World Cup NPFL: Rangers secure top spot with nail-biting Oriental derby victory Zero to hero: Grandma, coach relive Boniface humble beginnings Troost-Ekong donates Eagles allowances to Akwa Ibom kids Lawal: Youngster using football to fight poverty Boxing: Successful title defence thrills Ajagba

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,580 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,574 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,718 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,399 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (42,170 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (42,056 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,947 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,412 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,457 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,443 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,814 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,381 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media