According to Soccernet.ng, a 15-year-old Nigerian midfielder connected to Real Betis was not selected by the new U-17 national team coach, Manu Garba.
Tripple 44 Academy's Ifeoluwa Olowoporoku gained attention in 2023 as the youngest member of the Golden Eaglets team at the U-17 African Cup of Nations in Algeria. Although regarded as one of the team's most promising players under Nduka Ugbade's tenure, he saw limited playing time during the competition.
Wearing the coveted number 10 jersey, Ife was reportedly benched due to concerns about his physicality at the time. Now, a year later, he finds himself once again omitted from the roster. However, he remains optimistic that a new management team and fresh start will allow him to showcase his value on the pitch.
Despite being the youngest player in his squad at just 14, observers who witnessed his exceptional performance during the U-17 screening believe he possesses the best football IQ among all selected players.
As the Ghanaian WAFU B U-17 tournament in 2024 approaches, Garba faces challenges in finalizing his team. The initial list of 51 invited players has been significantly reduced after MRI testing.
With time running out, the Golden Eaglets are under pressure to assemble a formidable squad for their championship defense, especially after more than half of the initial squad failed the required MRI age test.
There are speculations that Olowoporoku's abilities are sorely missed despite his exclusion from the team, particularly considering his recent trial with Real Betis. His eligibility suggests that he possesses attributes valued by Garba, which could contribute to the team's success.