Brazilian soccer professional Guilherme Calvano has been left in awe of Nigerian teenager Shola Ogundana’s meteoric rise at Flamengo, Soccernet.ng reviews.
Since arriving from Nigeria’s Past Limits Academy in 2023, the ahead has made an instantaneous influence, amassing silverware and private accolades alongside the best way.
Initially becoming a member of Flamengo on mortgage, Ogundana wasted no time in saying himself. He scored within the last towards Boca Juniors, serving to Flamengo safe their first U20 Intercontinental Cup with a 2-1 victory.
His performances all year long, which additionally noticed him raise the Copa do Brasil, satisfied Flamengo to safe his companies completely in July 2024 for €450,000 (roughly N756.7 million).
A yr on, that funding has already confirmed to be a discount.
Earlier this week, Ogundana was named the most effective participant of the 2025 Copa Libertadores U20 event after enjoying a decisive position in Flamengo’s profitable title defence.
Flamengo retained their crown with a dramatic win over Palmeiras, triumphing 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 attract regulation time. Ogundana was instrumental as soon as once more, offering the help for Flamengo’s purpose.
With that triumph, the Nigerian turned the primary African participant to win the U20 Libertadores twice, a testomony to his rising fame in South American soccer.
2020/21 TCC Younger Participant of the Yr ➡️ 2025 Copa Libertadores U20 Hero of the event.
Shola Ogundana #TCCAmbassador pic.twitter.com/K0vqzbVuxV
— The Artistic Championship (@TCC_League) March 19, 2025
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His general statistics—two targets and two assists in 5 appearances — solely inform a part of the story. His aptitude, directness, and talent to unlock defences have been pivotal in Flamengo’s success, incomes him the event’s ‘Hero of the Event’ award.
Calvano, like many in Brazil, believes the honour was effectively deserved.
“Shola appears to be adapting increasingly more to Flamengo and Rio de Janeiro,” Calvano informed Soccernet.ng.
“Voted the most effective participant within the U-20 Libertadores, the Nigerian was basic to the red-and-black membership’s second championship. He was the one who performed and assisted the purpose within the last towards Palmeiras. Shola was the primary African signing for Flamengo’s youth crew and, in a short while, received the love of the followers.”
Ogundana’s subsequent huge step: Senior crew ambitions
Regardless of his fast progress, Ogundana’s subsequent problem — breaking into the Flamengo first crew — stays a formidable job.
The teenager does have one key ally in his nook: Flamengo’s senior crew coach, Filipe Luís.
After hanging his soccer boots, the previous Atlético Madrid and Chelsea full-back took cost of Flamengo’s U17s earlier than shifting as much as handle the U20s in mid-2024.
It was underneath his steerage that Ogundana flourished, with Luís expertly deploying him to devastating impact.
Nevertheless, their time collectively was short-lived. Simply months later, Luís was promoted once more—this time to Flamengo’s senior crew, the place he has loved a exceptional begin.
Underneath his administration, Flamengo clinched the Campeonato Carioca a number of days in the past, Luís’ third trophy in simply six months.
His facet has been close to unbeatable, dropping simply as soon as in 26 matches and at the moment using a staggering 24-game unbeaten streak with 17 clear sheets.
Keep in mind Filipe Luís? He’s at the moment the coach of Flamengo and has simply received his in simply six months
Flamengo are additionally on a – underneath him pic.twitter.com/VZGNQsncDt
— 433 (@433) March 18, 2025
Whereas Ogundana’s performances demand consideration, the truth is that Flamengo’s first crew is a well-oiled machine, making it troublesome for younger gamers to interrupt by means of.
Calvano acknowledges this problem, saying:
“When Filipe Luís coached Flamengo’s U-20 crew, he handled the younger striker because the one who stood out. Quick and insinuating with the ball at his ft, the Nigerian is normally deadly within the last third of the sphere. He’s an actual torment for opposing defenses.”
Nevertheless, he additionally provides a word of warning:
“Though Flamengo purchased 70% of Shola’s rights final yr, it’s troublesome to think about the teenager getting alternatives within the first crew in the mean time, given the large competitors within the crew.”
Ogundana: A Nigerian trailblazer in Brazil
Many younger Nigerian abilities dream of Europe, however Ogundana took a distinct path, embracing the problem of Brazilian soccer.
His alternative already speaks volumes about his mentality — a relentless drive to achieve a league that not often sees African gamers thrive.
Born within the quiet city of Ifako in Ekiti, Nigeria, Ogundana is now making historical past hundreds of miles away in Brazil. His data, silverware, and particular person accolades recommend his rise is not any fluke.
With Filipe Luís on the helm, a senior call-up is simply a matter of time. And when that second arrives, few would wager towards Ogundana grabbing it with each fingers.
