The coach of LaLiga side Real Valladolid had defended his decision to promote former Nigeria U17 winger Babatunde Jimoh Akinsola to the first team and a top flight debut.
Akinsola a member of the 2019 Nigeria U17 team only got the all clear to play for the club in January despite joining them in the summer. He played just four games for the B team before he was called up to the first team.
He made his debut in the game against Sevilla, which the team lost 0-3 and since then he has been named on the bench for games against Barcelona and Almeria, further confirming his status as a first team player of the LaLiga side.
Defending his decision to keep the Nigerian in the first team coach Ortiz Arias listed the qualities that has endeared him to the 19 year old, who is prime for a breakthrough next season in whichever division they play.
“We train a lot with the Promesas (Youth Team) players and we evaluate them a lot. I really like to get youngsters up there and that they have a chance, although at the moment it’s not that easy. What I saw in Tunde is that he is a very powerful player, who seeks a lot of space, very fast and who has a fatal one-on-one; He is a very interesting player, it’s a pity that he had to make his debut in a match with an adverse result”, he explained.
“If they do things well, they will have opportunities. Torres had a great game; He had a spectacular first half, with a 1.90 center forward”, he rounded up saying.
Osas Mahawi
