Nigeria’s rising football stars, Ojodu City FC, are set to make history as they prepare to face Italian giants Sassuolo in the quarter-finals of the prestigious 74th Viareggio Cup in Italy. The Nigerian side has captured attention with their outstanding performances, earning a spot among Europe’s elite youth teams.
Ojodu City FC’s remarkable journey at the Viareggio Cup continues to inspire Nigerian football fans as they gear up to battle Serie A’s youth powerhouse, Sassuolo, in a crucial quarter-final fixture.
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The Lagos-based team, led by standout midfielder Luka Shegnasa, advanced to this stage after a convincing 3-1 victory over an Italian opponent in the Round of 16. Shegnasa, popularly known as Shegna, delivered a solid performance and was on the scoresheet in that match, reaffirming his reputation as a key player in Ojodu City’s squad.
Earlier in the tournament, Ojodu City FC faced stiff competition in Group D alongside Empoli (Italy), Melbourne City (Australia), and Imolese (Italy). Their resilience and tactical discipline saw them progress beyond the group stage. In the Round of 16, they secured an emphatic 5-0 win over Westchester United, with striker Ibrahim Umar Hafiz grabbing a stunning hat-trick, taking his tournament tally to nine goals.
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Their quarter-final opponents, Sassuolo, are renowned for their strong youth development system, making the encounter a true test of Ojodu City’s grit and potential.
The Nigerian team is determined to continue flying the flag of grassroots football excellence, proving the depth of talent emerging from Nigeria. All eyes will be on Shegnasa, Hafiz, and their teammates as they aim to write history and possibly advance to the semi-finals of one of the most celebrated youth football tournaments in the world.