Liverpool fans in Nigeria had plenty to cheer about this week after the club’s official Instagram account appeared to embrace 16-year-old sensation Rio Ngumoha as one of their own.
On Tuesday, August 26, the Reds’ verified Instagram page shared a photo of Rio Ngumoha with the bold inscription “Agba Baller”, a popular Nigerian slang loosely translated as “master footballer.” To make the connection even clearer, the post was captioned in pidgin English: “Rio Ngumoha don land.”
The move sparked a frenzy online. Within 20 hours, the post had pulled in over 33,000 likes and 4,800 comments, the majority from Nigerian fans who praised Liverpool for recognising Ngumoha’s roots. Some, however, were quick to question whether the English-born youngster had registered with the club as a Nigerian.
The social media buzz came less than 24 hours after Ngumoha etched his name into Premier League history with a dramatic late winner against Newcastle United on Monday night. Introduced in the 94th minute with the score at 2-2, the teenager showed nerves of steel in the 100th minute, sweeping home a decisive strike to hand Liverpool a 3-2 victory.
That moment made him Liverpool’s youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer and the fourth youngest in league history.
Chelsea Still Fuming Over Rio Ngumoha’s Transfer
Rio Ngumoha’s rise at Anfield has not gone unnoticed in west London. Chelsea, his former club, remains locked in a financial dispute with Liverpool after the highly-rated forward made the switch last year.
The Daily Mail reported that a tribunal had been scheduled to decide the compensation fee, but a verdict is yet to be delivered almost a year later. Chelsea are expected to push harder for a sizeable payout, especially after Ngumoha’s record-breaking strike.
Frustration at Stamford Bridge reportedly ran so deep that Chelsea banned Liverpool’s scouts from attending academy matches.
The situation has revived memories of Liverpool’s £4.3 million settlement with Fulham following Harvey Elliott’s controversial move to Anfield.
Ngumoha, who was player of the tournament when Chelsea’s Under-16s won the national title in 2023, was already viewed as a generational prospect. Liverpool’s gamble in snapping him up looks set to pay off handsomely.
Although born in England to Nigerian parents, Ngumoha has represented England at the youth level. However, the latest gesture from Liverpool’s social media team has left many Nigerians hopeful that the teenager may eventually pledge allegiance to the Super Eagles.
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