Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has taken a huge interest in young Leonard Ngenge of Nigeria Premier Football League side Ikorodu City, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Ngenge is in the camp of the Nigerian team preparing for the upcoming CHAN tournament under the supervision of Chelle, who is fully in charge with the duo of Fidelis Ilechukwu and Daniel Ogunmodede relegated to the role of assistant coaches.
Chelle has been drilling the team for a week, and will see them play their first test game in the build up to the tournament on Thursday. He has already marked Ngenge as one for the future.
He sees the teen defender, who is left footed and also stands at an impressive height of over six feet tall as very similar to Benjamin Fredrick, who he gave his debut at the Unity Cup.
The idea will be to have him join the main Super Eagles team in training in the nearest future. A proper test of his readiness for the pressure that comes with international football will be seen at the CHAN championship.
Already he has been linked with a move to English Premier League side Leeds United when he turns 18, even though he recently moved to NPFL champions Remo Stars. It’s said to be a short term deal, which will aid his development and experience before the move abroad as he will play in the CAF Champions League.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
