By Eduoh Victor
Established in 2003 by Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport, the golden boy award is a prize given to a young football player below 21 years, playing in a European top tier. The likes of Lionel Messi, Thomas Muller and Mario Goetze are amongst the past winners, with Anthony Martial nicking the last edition.
Out of the 40 man shortlist, Nigeria for the first time since the inception of the award boasts of two candidates in contention for the coveted gong. Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi who ply their trade in England for Manchester City and Arsenal respectively, currently fly the Nigerian flag in the contest.
When the Super Eagles file out against the Chipolopolo of Zambia on Sunday, Nigerians will be keen to see their uprising wonder kids replicate their club form -- which greatly influenced their nominations for Nigeria.
Iheanacho has scored three goals already this season from eight appearances, including a debut champions league goal and one in the Manchester derby where he also bagged an assist. He's wonder strike against Tanzania, which nicked the CNN goal for that week, in Nigeria's last int'l outing was the difference between the two teams. Iheanacho's fellow Golden Boy contender, Iwobi -- a nephew to one of Nigeria's football greats: Austin 'JayJay' Okocha, has forced himself into Arsene Wenger's first 11 at Arsenal this season, bagging a man-of-the-match award for a jaw dropping performance against Arsenal's bitter rivals Chelsea. He has already shown signs of what to expect against the Chipolopolo with the brace he bagged in the practice match leading to the main event on Sunday.
Of the about 150 million Nigerians that will be following proceedings at Ndola on Sunday, many eyes will be fixed on this promising two to deliver the much needed three points; it appears their young shoulders is already vigorous enough to carry and deliver such high expectations.
Established in 2003 by Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport, the golden boy award is a prize given to a young football player below 21 years, playing in a European top tier. The likes of Lionel Messi, Thomas Muller and Mario Goetze are amongst the past winners, with Anthony Martial nicking the last edition.
Out of the 40 man shortlist, Nigeria for the first time since the inception of the award boasts of two candidates in contention for the coveted gong. Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi who ply their trade in England for Manchester City and Arsenal respectively, currently fly the Nigerian flag in the contest.
When the Super Eagles file out against the Chipolopolo of Zambia on Sunday, Nigerians will be keen to see their uprising wonder kids replicate their club form -- which greatly influenced their nominations for Nigeria.
Iheanacho has scored three goals already this season from eight appearances, including a debut champions league goal and one in the Manchester derby where he also bagged an assist. He's wonder strike against Tanzania, which nicked the CNN goal for that week, in Nigeria's last int'l outing was the difference between the two teams. Iheanacho's fellow Golden Boy contender, Iwobi -- a nephew to one of Nigeria's football greats: Austin 'JayJay' Okocha, has forced himself into Arsene Wenger's first 11 at Arsenal this season, bagging a man-of-the-match award for a jaw dropping performance against Arsenal's bitter rivals Chelsea. He has already shown signs of what to expect against the Chipolopolo with the brace he bagged in the practice match leading to the main event on Sunday.
Of the about 150 million Nigerians that will be following proceedings at Ndola on Sunday, many eyes will be fixed on this promising two to deliver the much needed three points; it appears their young shoulders is already vigorous enough to carry and deliver such high expectations.
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