Nigeria under-23 national team, Olympic Eagles’ former striker, Promise David Oluwatobi Akinpelu is looking forward to a huge impact with Canada in the round of 32 at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, which they are co-hosting with USA and Mexico.
Sports247 reports that the Belgium-based hitman, who was born in Ontario, Canada and uses David as his surname, played two matches for Nigeria’s U23 squad in 2022 but soon opted for an international future with the country of his birth.
His biggest impact so far with Canada came when he entered their third match at the ongoing Mundial as a substitute yet hit home a hope rising goal, which proved his quality in the box, during a 2-1 loss to Switzerland.
After entering the match in the 74th minute for Tajon Buchanan, the Royale Union Saint-Gilloise of Belgium ace turned the tide around but his side still lost the game, which many thought would have been a different story had David started the encounter in Vancouver.
However, his impact at the World Cup has been limited by injury, which the ambitious lad, whose 25th birthday is next week Friday, has put the disappointing defeat aside and believes Canada will romp back to winning ways in the knockout stage.
After suffering a severe hip injury and surgery in February, David recovered in time for the World Cup, where he scored on his first touch of the game against Switzerland, before the stadium’s public address announcer had even confirmed his substitution.
His presence and towering six-foot-five frame gave Canada a completely different element in attack, which many of their fans remember seeing during their build-up games, and they are already counting on him for victory in the knock outstage.
Pundits are now suggesting that, if he’s fully fit, he can go out for 90 minutes, as his goal and immediate impact could earn him a starting spot in the round of 32, likely alongside his name sake, Jonathan David.
“I think, with the knockout, things become a little bit more tender and important. You’ve got 90 minutes to gas it out and secure a win. Obviousl
