Breakout Star: Dazzling Dribbles, Lighting Speed and Aggressive Blockbuster, Who is this Enyimba Boy - Anayo Iwuala?

 

Anayo Iwuala, the tormentor in chief for the Aba based Enyimba International, has eventually breakout to limelight. Iwuala joined Enyimba in 2019, from Delta Force, but was plagued by recurring injury for most of the season, uphill 2020 when all were lockdown by the covid debacle. 

He took the time off to get fit again. He plays from both flanks, but many analysts say 22 years winger is more lethal from the left flank. His dazzling dribbling runs with a speed faster than lighting could remind you of only one person - Lionel Messi. 

But then his aggressive play busting through the middle of defenders with such precision and with the ball on his strips, remind you of "the bull" Daniel Amokachie during his prime days. And for some of us who have been following Iwuala's  progress, we knew it will be a matter of time and he actually got a call up to the national team. 

Representing the senior national team is a rare opportunity that every football player always craves for in life regardless of where they play their football in the world. It is even something more special to be invited by a head coach who doesn't have much regard for home based players in Nigeria. 

This rare moment could either make or mar a player’s career if not well utilized because there are a thousand and one players waiting in the wings to grab such opportunity if extended to them.

However, Iwuala showed why such a chance must not be wasted after he was invited by Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr as a replacement for Sadiq Umar at the just concluded 2021 Africa cup of Nations qualifiers.

Iwuala dazzled and showed a glimpse of skills in the few minutes that he played for the Super Eagles against the Squirrels of Benin in Porto-Novo and the Crocodile of Lesotho at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

His lightning speed and aggressive display was well appreciated. Indeed, for him to be filled in those matches at all was a testament of his performances during training, even in the midst of an array of more established players from Europe. 

Iwuala is a player that can be worked on by Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr in order to reach the level expected by him. He may not be as experienced as the foreign-based players, but his exceptional skills could make room for him. 

With the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers over and the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled to begin in May, Iwuala could become Rohr’s joker if only he could help him achieve his best. The Enyimba star can be injected into the team gradually during international friendly matches where some of his raw talents could be dusted by Rohr.

Recall that he was also brilliant in Enyimba’s victory over Entente Setif in the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday. A brilliant dribble and perfect pass by Iwuala allowed Tosin Omoyele to score and earn Enyimba’s victory.

Without a doubt, Iwuala may offer Rohr a better option not as a training material but as a utility player that will add more value to the Super Eagles quest in the coming years.