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Lawali stood out for Nigeria at the Algeria-hosted U-17 AFCON, a competition the Golden Eaglets recently got eliminated from following a quarterfinal defeat to Burkina Faso.
Following an impressive showing at the ongoing 2023 U-17 African Cup of Nations, Golden Eaglets defender Yahaya Lawali has attracted intrests from Barcelona, as well as, other top European clubs.
Lawali stood out for Nigeria at the Algeria-hosted U-17 AFCON, a competition the Golden Eaglets recently got eliminated from following a 2-1 quarterfinal defeat to Burkina Faso.
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17:51 - 13.05.2023
U-17 AFCON: CAF names 1 Golden Eaglets player in Group Stage Best XI
Nigeria's Golden Eaglets got knocked out of the competition on Thursday, following a 2-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals.
Lawali named in CAF's U-17 AFCON group stage Best XI
The right-back who had featured in all of the Golden Eaglets’ four games at the tournament and won the Man of the Match award on two occasions, was named by CAF's Tenical Study Group in the Best XI team of the group stage.
Lawali featured in defence with Burkina Faso’s Lassina Traore, Senegal’s Fallou Diouf and Morocco’s Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, with Senegal's goalkeeper Bourama Kone, named in goal.
The 16-year-old defender, born in Zamfara, Nigeria, was also named in an earlier Team of the Tournament at the WAFU U-17 Cup in 2022. He had three given assists in four games.
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23:29 - 13.05.2023
U-17 AFCON: CAF names Golden Eaglets 'Fairplay Team of the Group Stage'
Nigeria were eliminated from the competition following a 2-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the quarterfinal, ending the Golden Eaglets bid to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Lawali drawing attention from Barcelona, other European clubs
The performance of the youngster has reportedly not gone unnoticed as the likes of Barcelona, French Ligue 1 clubs; Lens, Lyon, and Strasbourg have indicated their interest to getting his services.
“U-17 Wonderkid & @mahanaimFC product, Yahaya Lawali is being chased by Barcelona plus top clubs in France & Belgium,” Nigerian journalist Tobi Adepoju confirmed in a tweet on Monday.
Beyond his primary right-back position, Lawali can also also play as a left-back, in the midfield, or as a winger.
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