Nigeria and G12 attacking midfielder Samuel Akere has been tipped to excel after a sensational performance for Nigeria at the 2021 WAFU B Cup of Nations.
The name G12 is synonymous with youth production and the talent that have abound from the stable of the transformer of talent.
17-year-old sensation Samuel Akere is the next star to emerge from the stable of G12. The playmaker has been highly rated for quite some time but a flurry of interest has seen him firmly thrust into the limelight. He was born on 16th February 2004.
Akere was in action for Nigeria at the 2021 WAFU B Cup of Nations.
The youngster was sent on loan to Vandrezzer last term in the Nigeria National League (NNL) and he was instrumental to the club’s retention of its place in the NNL.
Technique
As you would expect from any young Nigerian prospect, Akere boasts supreme technique and has fantastic quick feet and skills. He passes the ball extremely well, both from moving and dead ball scenarios and has that innate ability to shift the ball quickly, either to beat a man in a one-on-one duel or to create half a yard of space to get a shot away.
He does have the invention, creativity and sweet passes, to try a moment of magic that can turn a game and crucially has the technique and skill to pull it off.
Finishing
Akere is at his best when he plays through the middle so that he can take advantage of his clinical finishing and passing prowess.
Most of Akere’s goals come from inside the penalty box on his favoured left foot but he still has a lot of variation in his finishing. Whether it be simple tap-ins, cool placed one-on-one efforts or more instinctive efforts and snap shots, he scores all sorts of goals. While not renowned for his height or aerial ability, his heading is decent too.
Movement
One trait that sets Akere apart from his peers is his intelligent movement. On a basic level, he has good pace and acceleration which allows him to get in behind defences.
Given his great mobility, he’s not afraid to work the channels and keep defences guessing but he does his best work more centrally. He comes alive in the box and makes sharp, decisive darts to get into good goal-scoring positions.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of his movement is his ability to drop deep into pockets of space, either to find half a yard or to link with teammates. His spatial awareness is good enough that he’s often initiating attacking moves and playing quick combinations to then allow him to run into the space he has helped create.
Work Rate
Arguably the most under-rated aspect of Akere’s game is his work rate. As well as the aforementioned willingness to run the channels and drop deep, when possession is lost he is more than happy to get back and try to win the ball in the opposition’s half.
Areas to improve
As with any young player making his first steps in the senior game, there are inevitable areas for an inexperienced rookie to improve upon. While by no means Akere could do with improving his strength as he will be exposed to more physically imposing defenders.
Conclusion
Nevertheless, all the signs are there that Samuel Akere could be a very special player and it’ll also be interesting to see if he can continue to make an impact.
