EXCLUSIVE: "Waiting For Next Season" Super Eagles Prospect, Ismaheel Taofeek Declares As He Bags Top Award In Norway

Written By Jacobs Dunga

Prospective Super Eagles of Nigeria player, Ismaheel Taofeek on Monday was recognized for his efforts during the awards night to appreciate standout performers in the just concluded season in the OBOS Ligaen.

More Details

At the recognition of players who have distinguished themselves during the course of the season at the OBOS Ligaen awards night in Norway, a Nigerian picked up a notable award for his contributions to the success of his team.

LATEST POSTS

Ismaheel Taofeek won the award for the breakthrough player of the year under review. The youngster who scored a total of twelve goals and registered a further seven assists for Fredrikstad FK helped his team finish fourth in the regular season before losing on penalties to KFUM in the promotion playoffs.

The fleet footed attacker also made it to the team of the year in just his first season with the nine time Norwegian champions. The Puma Football Academy of Shasha product has been turning heads in Norway since his first move to Skeid Fc in 2019.

“Tonight’s first prizes have been distributed, this year’s breakthrough in the OBOS league is Taofeek Ismaheel” read the OBOS Ligaen’s statement on their official Instagram page.

Asked in an exclusive chat with Bettitude’s Jacobs Dunga how he felt after winning the award the Shasha born star replied subtly, “Alhamdulia, Feels normal.”

Ismaheel went further to state that he expected to scoop the award and could have been in the running for the best layer award he his team done better than their fourth place finish.

On whether he expected to win: “Yes, I have so much stats and many things more than that, the only reason I was not in the player of the year is because I have this (breakthrough) and my team was not in first or second place.”

He however remained coy on what lies ahead after this season. Asked what next after this award, Theo as he’s fondly called replied “waiting for next season.”

There have been talks of a move to bigger clubs in Norway and other European teams but we wait to see where the future of the one time FuturePro of Lagos academy player lies.

Meanwhile…

Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray has said he wouldn’t stand in the way of red hot attacker Ben Brereton Diaz if he were to leave the club for a bigger side in the next window.

The Chilean striker is in an imperial form having scored seventeen goals in just twenty two Championship appearances this season and making his debut for the Chilean national team where he has scored three times in nine appearances.

READ ALSO: Flashback: How Nigeria Lifted The 2013 Africa Cup Of Nations

Mowbray speaking to talkSPORT after his side’s 2-0 win at highflying Bournemouth has said that “The owners will decide what they want to do, their business in India has suffered a little bit.”

“Ben Brereton Diaz is doing amazingly well. I was a footballer for 20 years and when you’re doing well sometimes you have to strike.

“If he can get a top, top move, earn the money and be a Premier League striker I’d never stop him doing that but I would hope he stays with us and sees the season out at the very least and keep the goals coming of course.”

“I’m delighted for Ben. We signed him at 18 years old and it’s been a tough journey for him. He’s 22 now but he’s taking a bit of flak for what we spent on him.”

“Now he’s a man and it’s come to fruition. He’s grown up, can use his body and knows he can score goals. I’m just delighted for him.

“Let’s see what January brings. He’s not intimating that he’s in a rush to leave the football club.”

Do you have a story tip?
Kindly Email: keepup@bettitude.com

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube