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

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