By Wale Mustapha
The current Flying Eagles camp is filled with fantastic players jostling for final place in the team for the AFCON U20 tourney billed for Egypt next month.
One of them is a young striker, John Awodi from the UK based Coventry City Football Academy.
The striker was recently on trial with Queens Park Rangers of England and scored hattrick for them in a friendly.
He was granted permission by Coventry City International Academy to attend the second phase of camping for the Flying Eagles.
Awodi has impressed the Ladan Bosso led technical crew with impressive displays in the team's camp at FIFA Goal Project Pitch.
The goal poacher appears to have the perfect height for a striker. He is very comfortable player on the ball, as well as having intelligence off the ball; which is always a fantastic trait for a striker to have.
The teenager predominately operates as a striker, but he can be deployed as a winger and even just behind the striker; this is evidence of the versatility he possesses; one of his most impressive characteristics. His dribbling is also a key part of his game, with him able to control the ball confidently and beat players using speed and skill.
Strengths and Playing Style
Not only is Awodi quick with his feet, he is equally quick and effective with his decision making.
Very intelligent with his runs on and off the ball, Awodi has shown a penchant for creating space for himself as well as his teammates.
However, it is his goal scoring record and calmness in front of the goal that has hogged the limelight, and rightly so.
He is a calm customer even in the tight of positions – a trait very few players of his age possess – has a tidy shot and is quick to get into space in the attacking third.
Given his skill sets and the extended playing time being afforded to him, it is no surprise that he has already bagged goals for Flying Eagles in training.
Awodi's abilities as an attacking menace documented, but it is time to look at another aspect of his game that has impressed many – his defensive contribution. He loves to tackle, haggling the opposition defenders and is constantly tracking back to help his teammates out of precarious situations.
Conclusion
With his pace, precarious situations are often turned into advantageous ones as he has demonstrated an eye for fine link up play and counter attacking football.
He offers a lot of counter-attacking threat and he never disappoints with his finishing ability. For a forward, he has relatively good vision and awareness and can pick out some wonderful passes.
It's evident to see that Awodi has talent in abundance. Not only is he a potential Flying Eagles regular in the future. John Awodi could be destined for greatness.
