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Nigerian Ukraine based dazzling midfielder, Michael Babatunde, has heaped praises on the Super Eagles Handler, Samson Siasia, for discovering and giving him the big break while handling the Flying Eagles in 2009. The player who made quick assists that gave his side a 2-1 victory away to
SC Tavriya Simferopol recently in the Ukrainian league also expressed appreciation to Dream Team V Coach, Austin Eguavoen, and promised to work hard to enjoy continued recognition from both coaches.?
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“I thank God for what I am doing presently in Ukraine. My Coach in Kryvbas, Maksimov is very happy with me and my colleagues too because they said I am playing well. But my thanks go to Coach Samson Siasia for discovering me and also giving me the big break. I am also very grateful to Coach Eguavoen for considering me for the U- 23 national team too. I promised to work harder to continue to be a worthy member of the team,” he said.?
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The 19 year old player was a delight to watch in his club’s come back from a goal down to win the match 2-1, was however not considered for a place in the John Obuh’s led Flying Eagles that was ousted out of the last FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia by France in the quarter-finals. He initiate a run when Kryvbas goalkeeper miss kicked the ball to ragged the defense of Tavriya and made the first of the two passes that was converted by Sergey Samodin in the 56th minute, while he made the final pass to Vyacheslav Serdyuk in the 80h minute to seal the important away victory for his side.
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Eagles out favoured midfielder, Sani Kaita, who did not feature for Savriya Simferopol in the match was full of praises for the Nigerian teenage sensation. “That boy is a wonder kid. He was everywhere on the field and his blistering runs from the midfield and attack was highly encouraging. He single handedly won the game for his side. I wish the Nigerian selectors would give him a chance in the youth teams because he will surely perform there”, Kaita disclosed. ??
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The player scored a goal in the six nation tournament in Egypt in 2009, but was finally dropped by Siasia from the final squad that made the trip to Egypt 2009 FIFA U- 20 World Cup. Siasia has since been keeping tab on the player’s performance.
Babatunde, according to the Kryvbas website was sought after by Obafemi Martins’ club Rubin Kazan but the Kryvbas Coach vehemently rejected the 2.5 million Euros offer saying that the Nigerian player was very important to his plans to win a EUFA competition spot this season.
The player popularly called African little Messi was rewarded with a brand new Murano Jeep by the club’s President who compensated him for not joining Rubin Kazan when he pleaded with the Nigerian teenage sensation to shun the deal and stay with the Ukrainian club.