At only 17, striker Kparobo Arierhi has already made his mark in international football within a very short time.
He struck twice Wednesday night in Lome, Togo, for the Flying Eagles to beat arch-rivals Ghana and retain the WAFU B U20 championship they won two years ago in Niamey, Niger Republic.
They were two brilliantly taken goals and they underlined his class as a lethal finisher.
🤯💎 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙂𝙀𝙈?
🔎 Remo Stars Academy talent Kparobo Arierhi is proving he’s one to watch.
A short THREAD 👇🏾 😮 pic.twitter.com/fURYEMCjMG
— A2Z Football Hub 🟡⚫ (@a2zfootballhub) October 31, 2024
“I have been exposed by my academy and that is why I gave this type of performance,” Kparobo commented on his game-defining showing against the Black Satellites of Ghana.
“They said he is too young, too small, but you can see the result of our conviction now,” coach Aliyu Zubairu said at the post-final press briefing while pointing at the young centre-forward.
“He is a top talent who will continue to do amazing things,” a top Flying Eagles official remarked.
“He has gained invaluable experience in Togo and we’re confident that he and youngsters like Bidemi Amole and Divine Oliseh will be a lot more matured by the time the U20 AFCON comes around.”
He netted three goals in four matches at the tournament, which served as a qualifier for the 2025 U20 AFCON to be staged in South Africa in January.
The Beyond Limits Academy star had to overcome blisters to start a Group B match against Burkina Faso, which Nigeria lost.
He was picked to lead the Flying Eagles strike force in coach Aliyu Zubairu’s favoured 4-3-3 formation ahead of the older and more experienced Charles Agada, who only recently signed a pre-contract agreement with English Championship side QPR.
‘KP9’ steady rise has not been a surprise.
He was top scorer in the TCC League last season with 22 goals in 15 matches.
‘Kparo-Goal’ netted five goals in as many matches as Beyond Limits made history by becoming the first Nigerian club to win the highly-rated Viareggio Tournament in Italy this year.
He followed that up by firing four goals at the Gothia Cup in Sweden in July.
He was first scouted in Warri by the Warri Wolves for the La Liga Promises tournament.
He joined Beyond Limits in 2021 and his younger brother, Daniel, has since joined him at the Ikenne football academy.
Kparobo has good close control, technically sound and what he lacks in power and raw strength, he more than makes up for with his positioning and intelligence.
He is yet another modern-day predator out of Nigeria ready to strike more Gold and Goals.
With additional reporting by Aboluwade God’s Treasure AGT
