Sani Emmanuel
Encyclopedia
Sani Shehu Emmanuel commonly known as Sani Emmanuel, is a Nigeria
n footballer, who currently plays for S.S. Lazio
as a striker
, as well as having a stint with Swedish outfit Bodens BK
. He played a prominent part of the 'Golden Eaglets' Nigerian U-17 Team's campaign in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
and is now playing for the Nigerian U-20 Team, the 'Flying Eagles'.
, a Nigerian football club set up by T.B. Joshua
of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations in Lagos
, to help talented footballers. Initially coming into contact with The SCOAN through his father, who received substantial financial assistance from the church as part of their charitable outreach to widows and widowers, Sani lived and worked there for a number of years whilst also honing his football skills.
attracting interest from foreign scouts, Emmanuel was one of three players spotted to play football in Sweden for Bodens BK
, a trip sponsored by T.B. Joshua
and Emmanuel TV
. Upon impressive performances in Sweden with 21 goals in 10 games, including a win for Boden's Junior Team at the 'Internet Bay Cup' where Emmanuel scored nine of his team's goals, he was chosen to represent his country at U-17 level.
After an impressive performance at 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
, winning the Golden Ball and Silver Shoe, Sani was nominated for CAF's prestigious Young African Player Of The Year award.
at 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
in Nigeria
. He scored the winning goal for Nigeria through a penalty kick in their match against Argentina
, which saw Nigeria top their group with 7 points In Nigeria's encounter with New Zealand, Emmanuel scored 2 goals in five minutes after coming on as a substitute late in the match, and is already being tipped as one of Nigeria's future stars. He scored a brace against Spain, sending Nigeria into the U-17 World Cup Final, which they eventually lost to Switzerland. Scoring a remarkable 5 goals in 221 minutes of play, Sani won the prestigious FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball as well as the Silver Shoe.
alongside many of his colleagues from the U-17 team. His first brace of goals came in their 7-0 routing of Kenya in a four nation tournament in Egypt, May 2010.
and Tottenham
, whom he has reportedly had trials with. He has also had trials with Greek giants Panathinaikos F.C..
signed professional contracts with Italian giants SS Lazio.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n footballer, who currently plays for S.S. Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
as a striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
, as well as having a stint with Swedish outfit Bodens BK
Bodens BK
Bodens BK is a Swedish football club located in Boden in Norrbotten. The club, formed 1916, is currently playing in the third highest Swedish league, Division 1...
. He played a prominent part of the 'Golden Eaglets' Nigerian U-17 Team's campaign in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
The 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup was the thirteenth tournament of the FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Nigeria from October 24 to November 15, 2009.The tournament was won by Switzerland, beating 1-0 the host team, Nigeria...
and is now playing for the Nigerian U-20 Team, the 'Flying Eagles'.
History
Emmanuel began playing football with My People FCMy People FC
My People FC is a Nigerian football club based in Lagos. Founded by Prophet T.B. Joshua of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, the team was established for the purpose of helping talented young footballers.- History :...
, a Nigerian football club set up by T.B. Joshua
T.B. Joshua
Temitope Balogun Joshua , commonly referred to as T. B. Joshua, is a Christian, minister, televangelist and faith healer...
of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations in Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
, to help talented footballers. Initially coming into contact with The SCOAN through his father, who received substantial financial assistance from the church as part of their charitable outreach to widows and widowers, Sani lived and worked there for a number of years whilst also honing his football skills.
Career
With My People FCMy People FC
My People FC is a Nigerian football club based in Lagos. Founded by Prophet T.B. Joshua of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, the team was established for the purpose of helping talented young footballers.- History :...
attracting interest from foreign scouts, Emmanuel was one of three players spotted to play football in Sweden for Bodens BK
Bodens BK
Bodens BK is a Swedish football club located in Boden in Norrbotten. The club, formed 1916, is currently playing in the third highest Swedish league, Division 1...
, a trip sponsored by T.B. Joshua
T.B. Joshua
Temitope Balogun Joshua , commonly referred to as T. B. Joshua, is a Christian, minister, televangelist and faith healer...
and Emmanuel TV
Emmanuel TV
Emmanuel TV is one of Africa's largest Christian television networks with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, founded by T.B. Joshua, Pastor of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations .-History:...
. Upon impressive performances in Sweden with 21 goals in 10 games, including a win for Boden's Junior Team at the 'Internet Bay Cup' where Emmanuel scored nine of his team's goals, he was chosen to represent his country at U-17 level.
After an impressive performance at 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
The 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup was the thirteenth tournament of the FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Nigeria from October 24 to November 15, 2009.The tournament was won by Switzerland, beating 1-0 the host team, Nigeria...
, winning the Golden Ball and Silver Shoe, Sani was nominated for CAF's prestigious Young African Player Of The Year award.
The Golden Eaglets
Emmanuel played for the Nigeria U-17 teamNigeria national under-17 football team
-History:The team won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1985 , 1993 and 2007. They also won the African Under-17 Championship in 2001 and 2007, and were runners-up in 1995....
at 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
The 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup was the thirteenth tournament of the FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Nigeria from October 24 to November 15, 2009.The tournament was won by Switzerland, beating 1-0 the host team, Nigeria...
in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. He scored the winning goal for Nigeria through a penalty kick in their match against Argentina
Argentina national under-17 football team
Argentina national U-17 football team is the representative of Argentina within all FIFA sponsored tournaments that pertain to that age level.-Honours:*South American Under-17 Football Championship*Winner : 1985, 2003....
, which saw Nigeria top their group with 7 points In Nigeria's encounter with New Zealand, Emmanuel scored 2 goals in five minutes after coming on as a substitute late in the match, and is already being tipped as one of Nigeria's future stars. He scored a brace against Spain, sending Nigeria into the U-17 World Cup Final, which they eventually lost to Switzerland. Scoring a remarkable 5 goals in 221 minutes of play, Sani won the prestigious FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball as well as the Silver Shoe.
The Flying Eagles
Following his performances, Emmanuel was promoted to the Nigeria U-20 teamNigeria national under-20 football team
Nigeria U-20 men's national soccer team, also known as Nigeria Under-20s or nicknamed Flying Eagles, is the youth team for national soccer in Nigeria...
alongside many of his colleagues from the U-17 team. His first brace of goals came in their 7-0 routing of Kenya in a four nation tournament in Egypt, May 2010.
Foreign Interest
Many clubs have expressed interest in signing Sani following his Golden Ball winning performance at the U-17 World Cup, including Premiership giants ChelseaChelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
and Tottenham
Tottenham
Tottenham is an area of the London Borough of Haringey, England, situated north north east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:Tottenham is believed to have been named after Tota, a farmer, whose hamlet was mentioned in the Domesday Book; hence Tota's hamlet became Tottenham...
, whom he has reportedly had trials with. He has also had trials with Greek giants Panathinaikos F.C..
SS Lazio
In March 2011, Emmanuel and his colleague Ogenyi OnaziOgenyi Onazi
Ogenyi Eddy Onazi , known as Ogenyi Onazi, is a Nigerian footballer, who currently plays for Lazio as an attacking midfielder, as well as briefly playing for the Swedish team Bodens BK...
signed professional contracts with Italian giants SS Lazio.