Al-Ittihad striker George Ilenikhena announced himself to football-loving fans in Nigeria after finding the back of the net on his Super Eagles debut against Madagascar in the opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Friday, September 25.

The 20-year-old struck on the stroke of half-time to draw Nigeria level after the Indian Ocean islanders had taken a shock lead in the 16th minute.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, but having moved to France at the age of three, the young striker opted to represent Nigeria at international level, earning his first call-up during the current September/October international break.

Ilenikhena played for clubs such as Amiens, Royal Antwerp and AS Monaco before joining Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League earlier this year as a replacement for veteran striker Karim Benzema.

Prior to his move to the Saudi Pro League, Ilenikhena made 15 appearances in the UEFA Champions League, becoming the youngest African player to achieve this milestone at the age of 19 years and 157 days.

These Champions League appearances came during his spells with Royal Antwerp and AS Monaco. Notable among them were his winning goals against Barcelona while representing both clubs.

In December 2023, at just 17 years old, Ilenikhena scored a late winner in the 91st minute as the Belgian club stunned Xavi Hernandez's Barcelona side 3-2 in a Champions League group-stage clash.

Ilenikhena later came back to haunt the Spanish giants again in the opening fixture of the 2024/25 Champions League campaign, scoring the winner in AS Monaco’s 2-1 victory over 10-man Barcelona at the Stade Louis-II in September 2024.

The new Nigeria No. 9 is expected to be in action when the Super Eagles take on Guinea-Bissau in their second game of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Tuesday, September 29.

WDN