George Ilenikhena in blistering Al Ittihad form as Nigeria call beckons | OneFootball

George Ilenikhena’s electric start at Al Ittihad has brought a maiden Nigeria call-up for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. His first chance could arrive on Friday night in Uyo.

The 20-year-old has four goals in the opening seven Roshn Saudi League rounds, including a match-winning brace against Al Nassr, plus one BSF Goal of the Week and two Man of the Match awards. spl.com.sa highlights how Jens Wissing’s arrival has given him a timely platform.

Last season told a different story, the mid-season signing made only 88 minutes in the RSL as Al Ittihad, defending champions at the time, slipped to fifth. He had arrived from AS Monaco to help cover the gap left by Karim Benzema.

His pedigree was clear much earlier. At 17 he hit a Champions League winner for Royal Antwerp against Barcelona, the Belgian side’s first in the competition, then a month after turning 18 he scored in Monaco’s 2-1 win over the same opponents and, at 18 years and 34 days, became their youngest scorer in the tournament, surpassing Kylian Mbappe.

He had already become Ligue 2’s youngest scorer with Amiens at 16 years and 150 days. Powerful, quick and left-footed, he grew up studying Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo, and while he accepts he is not at their level, this season looks like a breakout for club and country.

Source: spl.com.sa

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