Could Gafar Olaniyan Ayoola Be Nigeria's Next Flying Eagles Winger?
The 2008-born winger continues to impress with his performances for Inter Lagos, earning attention as one of the young talents pushing for a place in Nigeria's U-20 setup.
GRASSROOTAuthored By
CenterKick Editor
Published On
6/26/2026
As preparations continue for future Flying Eagles assignments, several young Nigerian talents are making compelling cases for national team recognition. Among them is Gafar Olaniyan Ayoola, a dynamic winger whose performances this season have not gone unnoticed.
The 2008-born attacker, who is registered with Valiant FA and spent the season on loan at Inter Lagos, has quietly put together an impressive campaign, combining pace, creativity and end product on the right flank.
Despite his young age, Gafar has shown maturity in possession and the versatility that modern wide forwards require. Comfortable with both feet, he possesses the ability to attack defenders on either side, cut inside to create chances or deliver dangerous balls into the box.
His numbers further underline his impact.
Across 13 appearances this season, Gafar recorded 4 goals and 4 assists, directly contributing to eight goals while consistently influencing games in the final third.
Beyond the statistics, his work rate, willingness to press and ability to operate in different attacking situations have made him an important player whenever called upon.
At a time when Nigeria continues to search for exciting young attacking talents capable of making the step into the Flying Eagles setup, players like Gafar deserve to be monitored closely.
The pathway from grassroots football to the national team has always rewarded consistent performances, and the winger's development at Valiant FA, coupled with valuable experience gained during his loan spell at Inter Lagos, suggests he is moving in the right direction.
Whether his opportunity comes in the next camp or further down the line, one thing is certain: Gafar Olaniyan Ayoola is a young talent worth watching.
Player Profile
Name: Gafar Olaniyan Ayoola
Date of Birth: 2008
Position: Right Wing Forward
Preferred Foot: Both
Parent Club: Valiant FA
2025/26 Loan Club: Inter Lagos
Season Statistics:
13 Appearances
4 Goals
4 Assists
With age on his side and consistent performances backing his potential, Gafar Olaniyan Ayoola continues to strengthen his case as one of the promising young wingers emerging from Nigerian football.
