By Ikenwa Nnabuogor
Zadok Show was the latest Swedish’s new season’s movie that premiered last night featuring a Nigerian youngster on the lead cast.
He was none other than the 18-year old Nigerian striker Yohanna Zadok whose season’s debut was greeted with admiration, ecstasy and sweet victory.
AIK Solna’s Strawberry Arena hosting the premiere, the youngster left fans in awe of what the kid was made of. His gold trading could attract Sheikhs in the near future.
Halmstad came calling, and went crashing 2-1 with the kid sealing the game with a “kiss” to send the 50,000 spectators into delirium.
AIK fans thronged the stadium to catch the glimpse of the youngster who showed promises on his senior starts last season. Zadok returned no goals in his six games last season for the senior side, a far cry from his fiery smoking form in the junior side.
Zadok refused to look like an upstart to prove he could be the machine that produces goals. He did produce one last night and the fans believe he will deliver more as the season wears on.
But he was game-ready as well as goal-made as his goals in the Svenka Cup were reminders he could slay Halmstad.
Goals, assists and overall breathtaking performance headlined the media on his smoking Svenka Cup games going into the new season’s opener.
The big occasion looked the same as the Svenka Cup’s for Zadok as he agreed with the fans to pepper the visitors’ defence.
Many times he was denied a goal but with seven minutes remaining on the clock he changed the story.
Guiding the ball closely to his deadly left with two Halmstad defenders aggressively entertaining him and almost losing the ball straying out of reach, brilliantly forcing the ball back to his foot, and smashing the ball into the top left corner. Sheer brilliance!
Impressive from the skilful kid and the winning goal assured as AIK opened the new season with maximum points.
Fast, intelligent, eel-like slippery, Zadok Show was an A-lister for the youngster.
Reaching the stars was the superlative movie role interpreted on the “premiere” by the youngster.
He even ever impressed on his role casting by turning the Arena into a circus show while the fans enjoyed.
With the ball closely strapped to his left foot, defenders were invited with defiance, dismissed almost in one moment so poetic as Halmstad defenders were thoroughly thinned out.
He seemed to enjoy more of it as all balls suddenly were flighted into his path as AIK ferociously attacked. It appears he will attract more roles in the coming movies, Zadok has come to stay.
What else did he not do in the game? He actually reached the stars, a whooping 9.2 star rating, Man of the match winner and the game winner.
AIK have unleashed a brand new star waiting to be courted by top spenders.
The coming years will definitely see Zadok get bigger movie roles in France, Italy or Spain should be coming his spotless debut.
Is he the new Kanu?
Languidly Kanu-like, princely 1.81m height, Zadok has been variously described in the Sweden press as possessing a deadly, refined left foot.
He almost boxed all the legendary Kanu possessed but it remains to be seen where he will land in the coming years. Perhaps, Arsenal, like Kanu?
AIK coach Jose Riveiro, a strong believer in the youngster, wasted no time in establishing him into his team this season in his 4-3-3 formation.
Reserved a “permanent” place on the right wing, Zadok, a brilliant left footer, brings his left foot to the party to kill. He did last night to leave Halmstad defenders remembering him for a long time as well as watering the mouths of the AIK fans.
Nigeria should be on a keen watch, will it be cadet team first before the Super Eagles? Or straight up to the Eagles?Whichever Eagle he will first be, smart money’s on him to soar highest.
Meanwhile, welcome to first team football in Sweden, Yohanna Zadok!
