Nigeria’s Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia striker, George Ilenikhena has been listed among ten national team rookies to watch out for during this weekend’s round of matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Sports247 gathered that Ilenikhena’s high rating comes from a feature survey by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) media unit, which noted that the former Amiens and AS Monaco of France ace is enjoying a meteoric rise in status.
The trending survey by cafonline also noted that Ilenikhena is on the verge of a historic debut with the Super Eagles this Friday at home against Madagascar inside the imposing Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Listed as rookies to watch along with Ilenikhena are Abdellah Ouazane (Ajax, Morocco); Ibrahim Mbaye (Aston Villa, Senegal); Patrick Zabi (Paris FC, Côte d’Ivoire); Puso Dithejane (Chicago Fire, South Africa); and Christian Kofane (Bayer Leverkusen, Cameroon).
Also named in the highly revealing content about Ilenikhena are Caleb Yirenkyi (Coventry City, Ghana); Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, DR Congo); Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen, Algeria); and Ryan Ogam (RFC Liège, Kenya).
The survey noted in part, “There is no shortage of exciting youngsters who have been drafted into teams for these qualifiers. We pick 10 to watch out for over the next couple of weeks, with some already established in their national teams and others looking to make their mark.
“George Ilenikhena (Al-Ittihad, Nigeria): The 20-year-old striker has already scored winning goals against Barcelona for two different clubs in the UEFA Champions League, first with Royal Antwerp in 2023 and then Monaco in 2024.
“Having moved to Saudi Arabia in February 2026, the Lagos-born forward has now earned his first Super Eagles call-up. Victor Osimhen’s injury absence could present Ilenikhena with an early chance to impress in the qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.”
