A former international, Tijani Babangida, has said young midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi’s aggressive style of play is going to help the Super Eagles in subduing opponents.
The Royal Antwerp of Belgium defensive midfielder was the cynosure of all eyes when he made his Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) debut against Equatorial Guinea in Cote d’Ivoire.
The young Alhassan played for 72 minutes in the opening match before he was substituted after he picked up an injury,
Consequently, he missed the remaining two group matches with Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau but has since resumed training.
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The former FC Hearts of Kano player is now in line to return for his second AFCON match against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Saturday, January 27.
If given the nod, he will pair with Brentford’s Frank Onyedika in the midfield as a shield for the defence line.
Speaking to Daily Trust, president of the Professional Football Players Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Babangida said Yusuf is an upcoming player who has shown capacity to perform on the big stage.
He said the youngster has come into the Super Eagles at a time when the team is in need of an aggressive player in the middle of the park.
According to him, most of the Super Eagles players who play in the midfield do not have the kind of power and aggression that Yusuf displayed on his debut.
“I am happy that a player like Yusuf has come on board. He is a young player with a lot of guts. His style of play is going to help the Super Eagles.
“Most times, opposing players bully the Super Eagles in the midfield so they need someone who can counter such forces. The team needs his fighting spirit,” Babangida reiterated.
He concluded by saying if the rest of the squad will emulate Yusuf’s hard work and fearlessness, the Super Eagles will go all the way to the finals.
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