Barcelona Eye Big Move for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets’ Best Player at 2023 Under 17 AFCON

• Nigerian defender Yahaya Lawali has become a target for many European clubs this summer
• Barcelona, who recently won the La Liga title, have joined the race to sign the Golden Eaglets' defender
• Lawali was brilliant while playing for Nigeria at the 2023 Under 17 AFCON

Golden Eaglets defender Yahaya Lawali has reportedly emerged as a target for Spanish champions Barcelona, who were impressed with his performances at the 2023 Under-17 African Cup of Nations in Algeria.

Many Nigerians are still battling to come to terms with the elimination of the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, who were sent out of the AFCON in the quarter-final by Burkina Faso.

Going into the tournament, coach Ugbade and his wards were tipped to excel in Algeria, but they failed and will also miss the 2023 Under-17 FIFA World Cup.

Despite Nigeria not reaching the semi-final, which would have given them a World Cup ticket, Yahaya Lawali proved himself as he won Man of the Match awards against Zambia and Morocco.

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According to reports on ACL Sports and Soccernet, Barcelona chiefs are monitoring Lawali, with the aim of signing the youngster.

Sevilla FC of Spain and Belgian clubs, Anderlecht FC and KAA Gent are some of the other teams who are ready to snap up the Mahanaim FC player.

Sports Brief spoke with Nigerian reporter Ojora Babatunde, who praised Yahaya Lawali, stressing that Barcelona will be a good place for him.

Ojora Babatunde hails Yahaya Lawali

''I watched all of Nigeria's games and I must confess that Yahaya Lawali is truly a good player, and Barcelona will be a good place for him to develop his career.''

U-17 teams send strong message

Earlier, Sports Brief reported how the U-17 teams of Morocco and Algeria sent a message of peace and unity to their leaders, after coming together for a photograph before their quarter-final clash at the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

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Tensions between the two nations have been high in recent times, with Morocco failing to show up at the CHAN tournament earlier this year due to the countries' poor political relationship.

However, with sport being a unifying venture, the young footballers are hoping that the neighbouring north African countries will be inspired to iron out their differences.