"20/03/2007 12.45
Togo 2007: Chelsea Eye Nigeria’s Rabiu Ibrahim
English Premier League champions, Chelsea Football Club, have once again set their sights on another Nigerian player currently representing the country at the ongoing African Under-17 Championship in Togo.
The player that has caught the attention of the Premiership billionaires is Gateway Football Club player, Rabiu Ibrahim.
Rabiu Ibrahim, who turned 16-years-old five days ago, is already being tipped to take on the heels of another Nigerian already at Chelsea, John Mikel Obi, by scouts from Stamford Bridge.
Goal.com learnt that since the commencement of the Under-17 championship in Togo, Chelsea scouts have been impressed by the teenager’s performance so far in the three matches he has featured for the Golden Eaglets.
The attacking midfielder has been one of the key players in the Golden Eaglets’ team and has impressed by scoring twice and setting up three of Nigeria’s goal at the ongoing cadet championship in Togo.
Goal.com has also been made to understand that Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, who sent the scouts to Togo, has been informed of the player’s performance and it would be a matter of time before the English Premier League side makes a swoop for the youngster.
A source close to the Golden Eaglets’ camp informed our correspondent that the Chelsea scouts are willing to talk to the player and his agent, but the Nigerian team coach, Adeyemi Tella, has declared in clear terms that his wards want to face the assignment at hand before thinking of getting clubs abroad.
The Golden Eaglets would face their Tunisian counterparts, the Carthage Eaglets, this evening in the second semi-final at the ongoing championship.
George Akpayen - Reporter, Lagos"
"Chelsea target new African wonder kid
19th March 2007
By Staff Writer
Chelsea have set their sites on another African wonder kid hot on the heels of John Obi Mikel.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho sent scouts to watch Nigerian wonder kid Rabiu Ibrahim in action at the African under 17 championships in Togo according to reports over the weekend.
Ibrahim was in impressive form at the tournament, scoring twice and setting up three of his country’s goals in their 8-0 win over Eritrea.""