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Emmanuel Michael
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-06-16) 16 June 2006 (age 18)
Position(s) Full-back
Team information
Current team
 Juniors OÖ
Number 22
Youth career
Simoiben Football Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2024 → Gombe United (loan) 6 (1)
2024– Juniors OÖ 1 (0)
International career
2022–2023 Nigeria U17 8 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 October 2024

Emmanuel Michael (born 16 June 2006) is a Nigerian footballer who currently plays as a full-back for Regionalliga Central club Juniors OÖ.

Club career

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Michael was scouted by the Simoiben Football Academy when he was playing barefoot on the streets of Kaduna.[1] Following impressive performances with the academy and Nigeria's under-17 side, he was scouted by Danish and Spanish sides Midtjylland and Huesca, respectively.[1] He was also approached by Dutch and French sides Ajax and AS Monaco, respectively, with the latter reportedly making a bid to sign him before he turned eighteen.[2]

Despite this interest, he joined Nigeria Premier Football League side Gombe United on a year-long loan deal in October 2023.[3] In the same month, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2006 worldwide.[4][5]

In August 2024, he joined Austrian side LASK, being assigned to the club's 'B' team, Juniors OÖ.[6][7]

International career

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Called up to the Nigerian under-17 squad for 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualification (named the 2022 WAFU-B U17), Michael scored in the opening game, a 4–2 win against Ghana. He followed this up with a brace in a 3–1 win against the Ivory Coast, earning three consecutive Man of the Match awards.[8]

Having helped his side win the 2022 WAFU-B U17, he was honoured by his teammates at the Simoiben Football Academy on his return to Nigeria.[9] It was later revealed that he almost missed the tournament; having arrived late to a training camp, the Nigerian coaches initially wanted him excluded from the team, but after a meeting between president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and the owner of Simoiben Football Academy, Nigeria international Moses Simon, he was reinstated.[10]

He was called up to the provisional under-20 squad for the 2023 African Games,[11] but missed out on the final squad due to an ankle injury.[12]

Style of play

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A free-kick specialist,[13][14] Michael credited Nigerian international Moses Simon for providing him with boots after he scored from a free-kick in Nigeria under-17's win against Ghana in qualification for the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.[15] He scored a further two free-kicks in a 3–1 win against Ivory Coast in the same qualification tournament.[16]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 9 October 2024[17]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Gombe United (loan) 2023–24 NPFL 6 1 0 0 0 0 6 1
Juniors OÖ 2024–25 Regionalliga Central 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Career total 7 1 0 0 0 0 7 1

References

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  1. ^ a b Ochicha, Lovette (16 February 2024). "Rising Star: Emmanuel Michael's Inspirational Journey From Streets Of Kaduna To Flying Eagles U-20". sports247.ng. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Like Endrick - Monaco Pushing To Sign Nigeria U17 Star Emmanuel Michael Before He Turns 18". owngoalnigeria.com. 28 December 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  3. ^ Adeyanju, Oluwayemisi Afolabi (2 October 2023). "U17 AFCON Star, Emmanuel Michael Joins Gombe United". ckdmedia.ng. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  4. ^ Christenson, Marcus; Bloor, Steven; Blight, Garry (11 October 2023). "Next Generation 2023: 60 of the best young talents in world football". theguardian.com. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Nigeria U17 Star Emmanuel Michael In List Of Best Young Talents In The World". owngoalnigeria.com. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  6. ^ "LASK signs Emmanuel Michael for the amateurs". lask.at (in German). 9 August 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  7. ^ Abel, Kelechi (10 August 2024). "Golden Eaglets Star Officially Joins Austrian Club". footballinnigeria.com.ng. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Emmanuel Michael tops List Of Five Nigeria U17 Players Shining Bright At WAFU B Championship". owngoalnigeria.com. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  9. ^ Afolayan, Toyosi (12 July 2022). "Simoiben football academy honor Golden Eaglets' star Emmanuel Michael". myleaguewire.com. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  10. ^ Liadi, Tunde (12 January 2024). "Revealed : How 'magical' Michael nearly missed Golden Eaglets". thenationonlineng.net. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  11. ^ Hawkson, Leroy (17 February 2024). "Nigeria name provisional football squad for 13th African Games". asaaseradio.com. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Emmanuel Michael's Fitness Concerns Ahead of All Africa Games". footballinnigeria.com.ng. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Emmanuel Michael: Accidental Left-Back And Dead-ball Specialist Powering The Eaglets". sportsintel.ng. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  14. ^ Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (10 May 2023). "Condemned to win: Free-kick specialist Michal says Golden Eaglets are ready for". allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  15. ^ Abayomi, Tosin (13 June 2022). "Golden Eaglets star thanks Moses Simon after scoring free kick against Ghana". pulse.com.gh. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  16. ^ Tope, Adefala (21 June 2022). "VIDEO: Emmanuel Michael scores two freekicks to power Nigeria past Ivory Coast into WAFU B U17 final". sportsration.com. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  17. ^ Emmanuel Michael at Soccerway
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