Super Eagles legend and Enyimba FC head coach Finidi George has hailed the club’s emerging talent Adiele Eriugo after an impressive full debut on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Eriugo was the surprise name on the Enyimba starting team-sheet as the People’s Elephant faced Plateau United in a crunchy Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 13 encounter.
It was a game Enyimba needed to win after failing to win their four previous games and the People’s Elephant ran out 2-1 winners over their visitors as they made a return to the Top 3 in the Group A table.
Eriugo played for over an hour in the game and made a good impression in the eyes of many including his coach, Finidi.
“Adiele has been doing well in training and friendly matches. He has eyes for goals and we want to just introduce him gradually and I felt this match is one where we need someone to hold onto the ball, help us in midfield and for a young boy like this, he has the energy to help in the midfield and attack.
“That was why I chose him and I think the boy did so well. I was impressed with his performance and he has to build on that because I believe today’s match will give him that confidence to move on,” said Finidi.
Eriugo, an academy graduate brought to the first team this term has had substitute appearances in games against Bendel Insurance, Nasarawa United and Akwa United before he was handed his full debut on Sunday.
While on the pitch at the Enyimba International Stadium on Sunday, the emerging star was a handful for the Plateau United defence, serving as a perfect foil for Enyimba and NPFL’s topscorer Emeka Obioma.
Adiele Eriugo at his young age stands tall on the pitch, bringing back to memory, the posture and intelligence of a young Nwankwo Kanu who won the 1995 UEFA Champions League with Finidi George for Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam.
This star is one to look out for in this business end of the NPFL season.