“A little bit more than Ndidi”- Ajibola’s trainer reflects on the Golden Eaglet’s playing style

Wilfred Ndidi, who presently represents Leicester City, is renowned for his defensive ability

Founder of Tripple 44 FA, Olatunji Okuku, has likened Golden Eaglets star, Usman Owoyemi Ajibola, to Leicester City star, Wilfred Ndidi ,Soccernet.ng reports.

According to the trainer, the starlet, who have been impressive for Nduka Ugbade’s boys at the 2023 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, is the sort of player the Nigerian national team has been without for a very long time.

However, Olatunji indicated that his style is comparable with that of the former KRC Genk star owing to his skills in tight spaces, but Ajibola’s style is a little more than Ndidi.

Legendary Super Eagles player Sunday Oliseh has stated that Ndidi serves as an imitation of him due to the way he controls both the Foxes’ and the Super Eagles’ midfields.

Ndidi’s on-field performance may also be compared to that of a skilled midfielder who makes interceptions, wins tackles, and avoids fouling any players.

Ajibola, who has the same skills, is one of those players that the national team of all age categories has not had in a long time, according to Olatunji, in a chat with Ezenwoko’s blog.ng.

“Talking about AJibola, he is the sort of player that Nigerians have not seen in a very long time.

“Wilfred Ndidi is a defensive midfielder, so, of course, we have him, you know. However, this goes a little bit beyond Ndidi. I’m not talking about, say, a career. Of course, he’s too little today, and in football, anything can happen. However, I’m referring to a youngster who excels in tight spaces, a boy that wins every ball.” He added.

Oliseh previously said that he would prefer N’Golo Kante over Nigeria’s Ndidi owing to the defensive midfielder’s ability to interfere with any player attempting to penetrate his team’s defence.

Olatunji, in comparison, praised Kante’s creativity on the field and disclosed that Ajibola can mark a player on the blindside, just like he did in Nigeria’s previous AFCON games against Zambia, Morocco, and South Africa.

“Like Ndidi, he doesn’t slide. the youngster who can pass the ball. He certainly has extraordinary technical abilities. Like Kante, he is incredibly imaginative. He constantly approaches you from the side to mark you. So he is that kind of guy is the tireless runner. “ Says the Ekiti native.

The soon-to-be 17-year-old prodigy, though, is said to have made a positive impact in his first few games in Algeria. He will be looking to build on that performance when Nigeria plays Burkina Faso on Thursday.