International Clubs Battle For 17-Year-Old 'Nigerian Cristiano Ronaldo'
Both Anfield manager Brendan Rodgers and his counterpart at White Hart Lane, Andre Villas-Boas, have been tracking Moses Daddy-Ajala. Little-known super talent, Moses Daddy-Ajala Simon is now also a sought-after player by a number of top Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs.
Former Federation Cup champions, Kaduna United were close to signing the youngster from his academy but due to imminent travel plans he will no longer be teaming up with the NPFL side.
The 17-year-old winger is back at the famed GBS Academy in Jos where he is one of the top football graduates.
Simon has been watched by several European scouts and as recent as the past weekend by Dutch and French scouts.
Simon could well be the next talented winger from Nigeria in the mould Finidi George, Tijjani Babangida, Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa considering his pace and intelligence on and off the ball.
Only recently, Simon scored a hat-trick in a friendly game against a regional selection of NPFL players and his "football intelligence," according to GBS Academy manager, Ibrahim Ahmed, has earned him the nickname Cristiano Ronaldo as his style of play is often compared to that of the Real Madrid star.
"Moses is an exceptionally talented winger. It has been a long time since I saw an incredibly gifted, young player like Moses. He doesn't only have acceleration and great pace but he is also a special talent because of his football intelligence. He is just always doing something special, intimidating defenders and scoring fantastic goals.
"This boy is ready, he is a complete player and can play for any team in Europe. Everybody call him Ronaldo and there is a reason for that," Ahmed says.
Ahmed, who has worked for over 20 years as a grassroots coach and also recently developed young players like Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow) and Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio), was hesitant to compare Simon to Ahmed Musa.
"I cannot compare the two players. They are two different players. Both are wingers and exceptionally gifted players. They are both very quick players and have a good eye for goal. These type of special players are only discovered once in maybe 10 years. I am not surprised with the interest he is generating from Europe.
"I have been contacted by lots of NPFL sides seeking to sign the player but as you can see for yourself, this young man is generating a lot of serious international interest and is scheduled to travel to Europe soon," said the GBS Academy manager.
Simon is excited to be attracting numerous interests at home and from abroad.
And the teenager is not hiding his ambition of playing for Spanish giants, Real Madrid in future.
"I am happy to be watched by these foreign people it shows they like me and my football skills. I have been playing football since the age of seven and I have always played as a winger. I hope that one day I will fulfil my dream and I can play for Real Madrid," said the 17-year-old.
Simon attracted all the attention during the Super 6 tournament in Kaduna recently.
He emerged as the tournament's most valuable player after putting up a spectacular performance and assisting in four of the five goals Kaduna United scored at the Super 6 tournament.
The teenage winger also put up an eye-catching performance with a fantastic goal in a friendly against Nasarawa United which they won 3-1.
The reports also claim that both Anfield manager Brendan Rodgers and his counterpart at White Hart Lane, Andre Villas-Boas, have been tracking Moses Daddy-Ajala.
Liverpool and Tottenham scouts have obviously been impressed with what they have seen from Daddy-Ajala.
One problem for both the Reds and Spurs is the lack of international football and his age, but the Star claim Daddy-Ajala is expected to qualify under the special talent rule.
Liverpool have already shown they are ready to give young players a chance with the blooding of 17-year-old Raheem Sterling earlier in the season before fatigue set in.
