London born Nigerian forward Damola Ajayi was included in Tottenham Hotspur’s gameday squad for the first time in their 2-1 victory over Ferencváros in the UEFA Europa League. The 18 year old, who had a breakout season in 2023-2024 with 24 goal contributions across 30 appearances in various competitions, traveled with the first team to Budapest for the match.
Ajayi will aim to follow in the footsteps of other Nigerian players like Josh Onomah and Timothy Eyoma, who made their first-team debuts after rising through the ranks at Tottenham. Despite not playing, Tottenham secured a 2-1 win with goals from Pape Matar Sarr and Brennan Johnson.
Editorial
The Bet9ja promotion code for October 2024 is YOHAIG. This Bet9ja promo code gives a welcome bonus of up to ₦100,000 on your first deposit. The minimum deposit to bet is ₦100! USE the Bet9ja login signup to get started today.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Damola Ajayi’s inclusion in Tottenham’s Europa League squad marks an important milestone in his young career. While he didn’t make his competitive debut, being named in the squad at just 18 shows the confidence the club has in his potential. Ajayi’s impressive performances at the youth level have caught the attention of the first team staff, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets his chance to shine on the bigger stage.
Although Ajayi did not make his debut, sitting on the bench as an unused substitute, his inclusion in the squad reflects his growing stature within the club. Tottenham’s manager Ange Postecoglou opted to use four substitutes, leaving Ajayi to wait for his chance to feature competitively for his boyhood club.
Tottenham’s nurturing of young talent is well documented, and Ajayi’s development will be exciting for both Spurs and Nigerian football fans. The young forward has shown great promise, and with patience and hard work, he could soon be following in the footsteps of other Nigerian stars who have made their mark in European football.
Did You Know?
- Damola Ajayi contributed 16 goals and 8 assists during the 2023-2024 season in competitions like the U18 Premier League and the FA Youth Cup.
- Ajayi’s number 63 shirt is ready for when he makes his European debut with Tottenham’s first team.
- Tottenham Hotspur has a strong tradition of promoting academy players to the first team, with several Nigerian players making the transition in the past.
- Ajayi was part of the squad that secured Tottenham’s second Europa League win this season, maintaining their 100% record in the competition.
- Tottenham’s manager Ange Postecoglou has been known for giving young talents opportunities to showcase their skills in competitive matches.
