Chelsea's youth academy showcased its rich Nigerian talent pipeline this past weekend, securing a commanding 3-0 victory over Ipswich Town in the U18 Premier League. The match, played on Saturday afternoon at Playford Road, was highlighted by standout performances from several players of Nigerian descent, including the son of a former Super Eagles defender.
Ezenwata Returns to Scoring Form with Emenalo Assist
The Blues took control of the match in the 21st minute through in-form striker Ezenwata. The forward, who recently received an invitation to the Flying Eagles camp, expertly headed home a delightful cross from Landon Emenalo to break the deadlock. This goal marked Ezenwata's return to the scoresheet after a brief hiatus, taking his impressive tally to eight goals in just eight league appearances this season.
Chelsea solidified their dominance early in the second half. Just four minutes after the restart, Reggie Walsh doubled the advantage following a well-worked team move. Minutes later, Mathis Eboue—who had provided the assist for Walsh's goal—sealed the three points by drilling a low shot past the Ipswich goalkeeper at the near post.
Landon Emenalo Delivers All-Round Display
The most noteworthy individual performance came from 17-year-old Landon Emenalo. The son of former Super Eagles defender and ex-Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo was instrumental from the left flank. Beyond his pinpoint assist for the opener, Emenalo displayed remarkable versatility, intelligence, and defensive maturity throughout the 90 minutes.
Emenalo, who is still eligible to represent Nigeria at the senior international level, has been on a rapid ascent at Cobham. After signing his first professional contract earlier this year, he has already featured for the Under-21s, trained with the senior men's team, and played in the UEFA Youth League. This season, coaches have utilised him primarily at left-back, though he has also shown he can excel in midfield or centre-back roles.
Chelsea's Unbeaten Run and Nigerian Talent Pipeline
This comprehensive win ensures Chelsea remains unbeaten in the U18 Premier League, having now won six of their opening nine matches. The team's attacking flair and defensive organisation continue to be among the best in the division.
The match also underscored the growing influence of Nigerian-heritage players within Chelsea's famed academy. From Ezenwata's clinical finishing and Emenalo's creativity to the defensive solidity of Tayo Subuloye, the future looks bright for Nigerian talent at Stamford Bridge. For Ezenwata, his consistent goal threat and recent Flying Eagles call-up signal a player whose stock is rising rapidly.
Chelsea's commitment to developing young talent with Nigerian roots appears to be paying dividends, offering hope that these academy stars could one day follow in the footsteps of the senior Super Eagles stars they admire.
