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Nigeria may lose 15-year-old Akinmboni to U.S.

Matai Akinmboni is a highly talented 15-year-old left-footed centre-back, currently trending as the third youngest footballer to make a professional debut in the history of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.

He also added another achievement to his kitty by being part of the starting line-up for DC United in the match against Real Salt Lake in Sandy, Utah. Although he was born in Maryland, his parents are of Nigerian heritage.

Matai Akinmboni

Standing at 6’2ft, Matai joined Freddy Adu and Alphonso Davies to imprint his name on the historical roll call of youths, who made their first appearance on the professional stage at record-breaking ages.

Born on October 17, 2006, he started informal training at 18 months with quick feet. He joined DC United Academy at the age of nine, where he was impressive over the years. He is currently home-schooled and acquiring his education via an online school called K 12 Stride Academy, which is equivalent to Virginia private school.  

Matai also showed off his extraordinary skills at Loudoun United in the USL Championship. He signed a professional contract with DC United on August 31, 2022. Wayne Rooney, the team’s head coach, was said to have called him a “big prospect” because of his defensive prowess. 

Rooney, who began playing for Everton at the age of 16 and enjoyed a successful career with Manchester United, supports the inclusion of young players in matches, as seen by his tenure as coach of Derby County FC, which he has reprised in DC United.

He was impressed by the youngster during training, and although the match ended goalless, with Real Salt lake, Rooney was full of praises for him and stated “He (Matai) has been excellent in training and he deserved to come in.

Read more on guardian.ng