Coach Nasidi traveled to the US to watch him play in 2014 and came out of the experience knowing he had something on his hands.
“He has speed, focus, the technique is so good, the tactical approach is fine and he has the physical ability. These things combine to make a good footballer,” Nasidi told Goal.
“He’s a small boy and if he comes to play for Nigeria, it will be good for Nigeria,” he declared.
Perhaps not every 12-year-old gets to be spoken so highly of at his age. Lateef Jr. is currently leading scoring at his youth side despite being two years younger than his teammates and opponents.
He told Goal that he would like to represent Nigeria someday like his heroes Rasheed Yekini, Daniel Amokachi, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha and Mutiu Adepoju, players he grew up watching on home video tapes with his father and grandfather.
“Although I have received interest from USA Football,” Lateef Jr. told Goal, “my heart lies with my fatherland and I'm hopeful of a call up from the coach Nasidi-led U13s/U15s this year.”
Coach Nasidi is keenly following the development of the prodigy, something he must stay alerted to as there seems to be a lot of eyes.
“Many countries are interested in him, but since I’m monitoring his activities, I want to make sure we get hold of him before any other country,” Nasidi said.His father also wants him to play for Nigeria despite the interest from the United States and its alluring potentials.
“I love my nation and I put that love of Nigeria in my kids very early. I tell them you are not just American, you're Nigerian-American,” Mr Omidiji told Goal.Sophia, Lateef Jr.'s older sister was called up to the Nigeria U20 Women's team in 2015.
"He has received an invite from the Nigerian U13/U15 coach who watched him play and was impressed with his eye for goal, speed and technique. He is also quite strong which is why he has always played 1-2 years up in age groups to get challenged,” he said.
For now, Lateef Jr. continues to develop his skills in the Dutch system where he hopes to keep getting the kind of challenge that would make him a top player in future.
“Since coming to the Netherlands, they have turned me into a more versatile player so coming from the United States as a number 9, they've taught me how to play 7, 8, 9 and 10 so I can play four positions,” Lateef Jr. said.
“Right wing, left wing, center mid and striker, they call me speedy here in Holland because of my speed but what I'm most proud about is my technical ability.
“I am proud to be able to combine my natural Nigerian style with what I learned in America and what I'm now learning in the Netherlands.”
108 comments:
promising young chap
cool
Well said..hope it favours our teams
Lateef Almighty GOD shall grant u ur heart desire n make u successful footballer.
Enter your comment...Am glad to hear this..morning guys
#linda'slastborn
Good of him.
He will make Nigeria proud.
#Hajia Mufliat
I like his choice to rep his fatherland.
#ProInTheMaking
Good luck to him
Smart boy! good decision
Wow wats dis for
Awwww! More power to ur Elbow, keep it up. * it's well*
Negodu bright future. Mk others for Naija nor use bad belle nack am out o. Cos 1. They r much older than d said age they r playing with. They wil b intimidated by ur true age.
2. If they see ur skills and notice u wanto bcom an item, they wl nack u.
3. Be careful, d fear of Naija team mates is d beginning of wisdom.
Wl love to see u play in naija Lateef jr.
OK let's wait till under 17 tournament where we can really watch him play
So linda how does Ur headline/ title now make sense abeg???
-D great anonymous now as Vivian Reginalds
Future balloon D'OR contender..
Enter your comment...
We hav soo mny bunch Of talented,determine boiz in d country yet u still go to USA...
I see football in him
Lucky him
you are really talented boy, keep it up and show your nation how skillful you are
Bravo, at least we have a player with Verified Age, young blood, young money. May God keep him sound n save to fulfill all his goodwill for Nigeria.
Good job kiddo
Meenah_wakil in instagram
Good job kiddo
Meenah_wakil in instagram
Wow! Good boy Makin naija proud
Bravo, at least we have a player with Verified Age, young blood, young money. May God keep him sound n save to fulfill all his goodwill for Nigeria, his fatherland. Amen
Great
Grewt
see his teeth and war
#she'sunique#
Nice One..#LindaConfirm
And Nigeria won't appreciate it...if to say na places na UK I for say make u go uk go play for dem..nigeria no go appreciate wetin dem get
~make I go drink one bottle of beer~
Wow what a young talented kid.
Enter your comment...
Good.... Buh u better stay in US nigeria dnt treat dia players rite.
Proud Nigeria Lateef u ar gud 2 go
Nigeria like better tin oooooh...
A cute lil boy I see. Proud of his root.
Okay na. Lucky kid. His cute too.
God bless u young man,may God guide & protect u,no evil eyes shall b casted on u.
Edobabe#replinda#
bravo keep it up
Observed, grab am quick oh before he become another Dele Alli, with all humility and honesty I have feelings for Linda Ikeji and would sincerely wish to meet her in person this year as part of my resolution.
Now am addicted to this blog...
Loving it though. #winks
I hope he keeps playing well. He could be the future African best or even World best. Good luck to you boy
Ok... All the best boy. One day you go make us PROUD!
#PeterObiForPresident2019
Where does the war comes in??? @ linda.... That's a misleading caption. Wishing him the best tho
BEAUTIFUL9JADELTABABE... good for him Hmmm anyway me am Justsayingmaownohh via ma LATEST TECNO f7.
@lindaikeji d lindus am still waiting ohh
Ok na
Omo, we should hustle all these talented footballers early o
Shine on son!
LIB Readers today is ma Birthday
Making sense.. Fresh talent like dis na him naija need. Kudos to d father for believing in naija and also kudos to d coach wey discover dis fresh talent..
AJ MAIN BOY...
Ok good to know fine boy.
Nice 1. Hunt for More cus we hav abundant talents out der
Beautiful...God bless Nigeria!
Come play for home soil Boy!! You are a true Naija..
Nna don't come to naija at all, Dey don't value players here. Na to use and throway o! Dats the bitter truth. Linda take note!
Gud
He should not come and play for Nigeria oooo before they destroy his career
He should not come and play for Nigeria oooo before they destroy his career
Fie boy. You must play for Nigeria.
Fie boy. You must play for Nigeria.
This is what Nigeria needed not 38+ that will say they are under 20
Enter your comment... Another star in the making.
Nice one
Go to those remote places in NIGERIA U will see pple with more speed and love for goals... talents everywhere but NO! U WANT THE ONE THAT WILL CAUSE TROUBLE...
So how would dis result to a war smh
He shd be allowed to decide for himself. He really must b a prodigy for countries to be keeping tab on him at this age...naija repping
If it comes down to bidding with America..... We won't win
Cool
Dude looks like me sef #CC
Good to knw. Linda observe!
Nice one! We need more fresh talent like this.
Blessed boy.... oluwa provide a talented son o.
God bless u Lateef Jr, God bless Nigeria.
Nice one jare
And who will scout these kids? Who will develop them? Quit talking out of your yansh. Hater
Nice one from the scout, Nasidi.
We need to catch them young before he becomes the likes of Jordan Ibe, Bamidele Alli
Lol.. Boy enjoy. More Instagram followers for you
We cnt wait to hv him o!
Fine boy
interesting
Gud
Thanks cool
Young sports prodigies never live up to the hype. I'm thinking of former Ghanaian prodigy Freddy Adu as I type this. The boy is part Nigerian born in the US, so it's a massive stretch to call him Nigerian alone.
Lazy Naija........wanting to profit from another mans work. Where is our sport in schools? Where is our local league? That's wht someone will give Yam in Nylon to children in school and idiots will be applauding him. Our biggest resource in this country is human and we don't behave like we know or care.
The boy is good, I have watched his videos, he has mad skills and he plays as if football is not a sport, like its a joke, when he dribbles...
Nigeria don't need him... Cos they can't value him, US should take the boy period #fuck Naija
Nigeria don't need him... Cos they can't value him... US should take the boy period #fuck Naija
Naija get talents
Lol, nawa o. Ds small boy and all ds wahala
#*karlishah*
We v amazing talents in d streets dey need to be regnized n trained bt una need d one wey oyibo don wash
Enter your comment...,
Naija is so blessed,our only problem is Bad leaders
It good to hear something good about Nigeria.
Hahahahaha.... true the one that will cause trouble... anyways still skillful child he is.... I would be proud if he were mine.....:D
Happy for him to know that there place like home, u are welcome boy.
They ones under Nasgidi's nose, he no see, na the one wey dem don train he want. Boy, ask the Senior what treatment they got from their fatherland and be shocked.
Gud.
If he comes to Nigeria his skills will die due lack of effective practise equipment.As a brother pointed out above me there are so many talents in the village go recruit!!!!
Please dont play for Nigeria. Your life will be ruined. Nigeria does not take care of its own
LINDO THIS YOUR CAPTION NA GBOZA. BIDDING WAR KOR, BIDDING FIGHT NI
naija U-15 that are 25 years old
You're a fool. Why don't you go start your own blog and let's see your own headline? Someone is there making money you you're here complaining. Linda abeg carry go jare.
Child Prodigy!!!
#Somebody must to love me tonyt!!!
Lateef, I am a Nigerian and would advice your parents to please let you stay back in the US or you might be lucky to get a European club sign you up.
Forget about Nigeria being your fatherland, they will waste or kill your talent in Nigeria.
I sincerely will never encourage you to leave the US and come play for Nigeria.
God bless you.
Lol
Interesting!!
Interesting!!
Yaay 💋💋 nice
God 's best to him.
#Linda'spal
Anon6.39 sad bt true.
Only if Nigeria would know how to manage a player like him.
#XENO-FABIAN
ok lets c hw dis goes..seems like a grt talent
linda post my comment o
#IWASHERE
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