Three English-Based Players Of Nigerian Descent Earn Ireland Call-Ups

Published: September 04, 2018

Three English-based players of Nigerian descent have earned call-ups to the Republic of Ireland U19 side for the first international break of the 2018-19 season.

Southampton duo Michael Obafemi and Jonathan Afolabi plus Norwich City's teenage sensation Adam Idah have been invited by manager Tom Mohan for the two international friendlies against Wales this month.

Republic of Ireland U19s will face the Welsh side at City Calling Stadium, Longford on September 9 before another friendly against the same opponents two days later at Eamonn Deacy Park, Galway.

Coach Mohan is using the friendlies to fine-tune his strategies ahead of next month's European U19 Championship qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Irish team will also trade tackles with the Netherlands and Faroe Islands in Group 10 of the Euro qualifiers and will advance to the elite round if they finish in the top two positions.

Obafemi has been impressive for Southampton U23s in the Premier League 2 in the early stage of the season, netting two goals against Stoke City and Fulham in his last three games.

Idah has even done better, with four goals in his first four games for the Canaries U23s team in the league.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : southamptonfc.com