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Emmanuel Michael

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Nigerian footballer (born 2006)

Emmanuel Michael
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-06-16) 16 June 2006 (age 18)
Position(s) Full-back
Team information
Current team Juniors OÖ
Number 22
Youth career
Simoiben Football Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2024 → Gombe United (loan) 6 (1)
2024– Juniors OÖ 1 (0)
International career
2022–2023 Nigeria U17 8 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 October 2024

Emmanuel Michael (born 16 June 2006) is a Nigerian footballer who currently plays as a full-back for Regionalliga Central club Juniors OÖ.

Club career

Michael was scouted by the Simoiben Football Academy when he was playing barefoot on the streets of Kaduna. Following impressive performances with the academy and Nigeria's under-17 side, he was scouted by Danish and Spanish sides Midtjylland and Huesca, respectively. He was also approached by Dutch and French sides Ajax and AS Monaco, respectively, with the latter reportedly making a bid to sign him before he turned eighteen.

Despite this interest, he joined Nigeria Premier Football League side Gombe United on a year-long loan deal in October 2023. In the same month, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2006 worldwide.

In August 2024, he joined Austrian side LASK, being assigned to the club's 'B' team, Juniors OÖ.

International career

Called up to the Nigerian under-17 squad for 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualification (named the 2022 WAFU-B U17), Michael scored in the opening game, a 4–2 win against Ghana. He followed this up with a brace in a 3–1 win against the Ivory Coast, earning three consecutive Man of the Match awards.

Having helped his side win the 2022 WAFU-B U17, he was honoured by his teammates at the Simoiben Football Academy on his return to Nigeria. It was later revealed that he almost missed the tournament; having arrived late to a training camp, the Nigerian coaches initially wanted him excluded from the team, but after a meeting between president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and the owner of Simoiben Football Academy, Nigeria international Moses Simon, he was reinstated.

He was called up to the provisional under-20 squad for the 2023 African Games, but missed out on the final squad due to an ankle injury.

Style of play

A free-kick specialist, Michael credited Nigerian international Moses Simon for providing him with boots after he scored from a free-kick in Nigeria under-17's win against Ghana in qualification for the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. He scored a further two free-kicks in a 3–1 win against Ivory Coast in the same qualification tournament.

Career statistics

Club

As of 9 October 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Gombe United (loan) 2023–24 NPFL 6 1 0 0 0 0 6 1
Juniors OÖ 2024–25 Regionalliga Central 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Career total 7 1 0 0 0 0 7 1

References

  1. ^ Ochicha, Lovette (16 February 2024). "Rising Star: Emmanuel Michael's Inspirational Journey From Streets Of Kaduna To Flying Eagles U-20". sports247.ng. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  2. "Like Endrick - Monaco Pushing To Sign Nigeria U17 Star Emmanuel Michael Before He Turns 18". owngoalnigeria.com. 28 December 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  3. Adeyanju, Oluwayemisi Afolabi (2 October 2023). "U17 AFCON Star, Emmanuel Michael Joins Gombe United". ckdmedia.ng. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  4. Christenson, Marcus; Bloor, Steven; Blight, Garry (11 October 2023). "Next Generation 2023: 60 of the best young talents in world football". theguardian.com. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  5. "Nigeria U17 Star Emmanuel Michael In List Of Best Young Talents In The World". owngoalnigeria.com. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  6. "LASK signs Emmanuel Michael for the amateurs". lask.at (in German). 9 August 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  7. Abel, Kelechi (10 August 2024). "Golden Eaglets Star Officially Joins Austrian Club". footballinnigeria.com.ng. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  8. "Emmanuel Michael tops List Of Five Nigeria U17 Players Shining Bright At WAFU B Championship". owngoalnigeria.com. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  9. Afolayan, Toyosi (12 July 2022). "Simoiben football academy honor Golden Eaglets' star Emmanuel Michael". myleaguewire.com. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  10. Liadi, Tunde (12 January 2024). "Revealed : How 'magical' Michael nearly missed Golden Eaglets". thenationonlineng.net. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  11. Hawkson, Leroy (17 February 2024). "Nigeria name provisional football squad for 13th African Games". asaaseradio.com. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  12. "Emmanuel Michael's Fitness Concerns Ahead of All Africa Games". footballinnigeria.com.ng. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  13. "Emmanuel Michael: Accidental Left-Back And Dead-ball Specialist Powering The Eaglets". sportsintel.ng. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  14. Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (10 May 2023). "Condemned to win: Free-kick specialist Michal says Golden Eaglets are ready for". allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  15. Abayomi, Tosin (13 June 2022). "Golden Eaglets star thanks Moses Simon after scoring free kick against Ghana". pulse.com.gh. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  16. Tope, Adefala (21 June 2022). "VIDEO: Emmanuel Michael scores two freekicks to power Nigeria past Ivory Coast into WAFU B U17 final". sportsration.com. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  17. Emmanuel Michael at Soccerway

External links

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