Super Eagles’ debut beckons for Noah Adekoya

For as long as he can remember, Noah Adekoya was interested in playing football right from the word go. Unlike former Chelsea legend Didier Drogba who wanted to be a doctor, Noah Adekoya never imagined doing anything with his life other than playing football. It is not surprising that he has grown to become one of the youngsters tipped to become the next big thing in England.

For this English footballer who currently plays for Burnley FC where he operates as either a left or right-sided centre-back and known for his passing style of football, it only takes a look into his eyes to understand that he does not open up easily. Noah Adekoya counts his words—a rare type who combines hard work with versatility full of common sense. On the field of play, he doesn’t run out of ideas, on the contrary, he takes time to interpret them with his feet with absolute confidence that makes oppositions turn their heads with envy.

Early Life

While growing up, Noah Adekoya focused on his dream of becoming a footballer. He signed for Burnley FC from Liverpool on a two-year contract for the U-12 season. This great talent made his debut for the U18s in a 1-0 victory away at Watford on 18th March 2023, whilst a U16s player, he continued to start regularly with the U-18 for the rest of that season. This young talent also penned a two-year scholarship deal in May 2023, having been offered a scholarship whilst playing for U14s. Noah Adekoya played for the U21s for the latter part of the 2023/24 season and featured in 15+ games.

He never smokes nor drinks, and it was said that the only thing he enjoys doing most is packing his boots and heading for the training ground.

While training with Burnley’s first team, fans’ consensus was that former Burnley managers like Vincent Kompany and Scott Parker are rushing the youngster. To them, pitching in a raw rookie at such a pressurised juncture was a gamble too far. But his five-star performance in those training laid credence to the fact that Nigeria’s national team managers need not grow grey hairs when Troost Ekong decides to call it quits with Super Eagles. Nigerian manager must move fast on this young talent.

Perhaps one thing former Burnley gaffer Vincent Kompan got right in his reign at the club was throwing Noah into the fray against the big boys. It was a gamble that paid off for Burnley FC and Noah Adekoya has never looked back since then.

With his eyes firmly set on playing for Nigeria, you can be rest assured that this defender whose talent is horned in England has chosen wisely. It is only a matter of time before he gets his first Super Eagles call-up.