Former Heartland coach and U20 scout, Hassan Abdallah believes Montpellier striker Akor Adams is overdue for a Super Eagles call-up.
Speaking on Brila FM’s “Big Interview”, Abdallah, who also served as an assistant coach for Nigeria’s U20 team, emphasized the need for a physically imposing forward like Adams in the national team.
“I scouted Victor Boniface and Akor Adams. Boniface is good because of his height, ball-holding ability, and dribbling, which is why I converted him into a point man.
Victor Boniface celebrates scoring. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
“Akor, on the other hand, has more strength than Boniface. He can bully defenders,but his intelligence is 50-50,” Abdallah noted.
He further highlighted Adams’ attributes: “Someone like Akor can deliver, like I said we need a player who can bully even if he doesn’t have the technique or IQ.
“When Akor is played between the central defenders they don’t move forward, they will have to wait I have expected them to even invite him to the national team because he has been doing well.
“He has the power and we need someone like that.”
Akor Jerome Adams during the Ligue 1 match between Montpellier and Auxerre at Stade de la Mosson. (Photo by Sylvain Thomas/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Akor Adams’ Club Career
Since joining Montpellier in Ligue 1 in 2023, Akor Adams has enjoyed a strong start.
Last season, he scored 10 goals across 33 appearances, and this season he has already contributed 3 goals and 2 assists in just 6 league matches.
Akor Jerome Adams during the Ligue 1 match between Montpellier and Strasbourg at Stade de la Mosson. (Photo by Sylvain Thomas/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Adams began his professional career in August 2018 when he moved to Norwegian side Sogndal from Jamba Football Academy in Nigeria.
He made his debut later that month but missed most of the 2020 season due to injury. By the end of the 2021 season, Adams had scored 10 goals in 28 games for Sogndal, before signing a three-year contract with Lillestrøm in December 2021.
At Lillestrøm, Adams made his competitive debut in the Norwegian Cup, scoring against Nardo, and followed that up with his Eliteserien debut in April 2022, where he netted in a 2-2 draw against HamKam.
International Hopes
Despite featuring for Nigeria’s U20 team during the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup, Akor Adams is still awaiting his senior debut for the Super Eagles.
The forward in action during the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup group D match between USA U20 and Nigeria U20 at Bielsko-Biala Stadium. (Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
With his recent performances in Ligue 1, both Adams and Abdallah are hopeful that a national team call-up is on the horizon.
