Charlton Athletic U17s striker Daniel Kanu spoke to Valley Gold for Academy Notes after the recent 6-3 win over Tottenham in the U17 Premier League Cup.
Kanu who signed for the club at U11 level described himself as a powerful centre forward who likes to hold up the ball and make runs in behind to create and score goals told Valley Gold:
“It’s fair to say that Tottenham started the game more brightly and it was this bright start that gained them the lead through their No.10 after their No.4 curled a neat cross into the box and the No.10 took one touch with his left foot before striking past Ahmed Kone.
“However, we replied straight away through me winning a penalty after being taken down in the box after receiving a lofted through pass by Nathan Asiimwe. Jason Adigun took the spot-kick and dispatched it with confidence. A few minutes later Tottenham regained their lead after their No.9 scored a header from a wide free-kick from the right side. Backed into a corner once again, it caused us to up our game and we then got back on level terms when Jason Adigun’s deflected shot ran straight into my path and I struck low into the bottom corner.
“Unfortunately, once again we fell behind, this time through a counter-attack which saw Tottenham’s left-winger set up their No.10 for his second and Tottenham’s third of the game. Although it looked like Tottenham had finally gained control of the game, it only took a few minutes for us to reply and this time our reply came through Zach Mitchell. After Toby Bower sent a deep cross into the box, Miles Leaburn rose highest to win the first header before Zach Mitchell won the second ball to send a powerful header into the net.
“This was all it took for us to gain a greater grip on the game and consequently we took the lead for the first time in the game thanks to Chibike Okechukwu. After some brilliant work by me on the right wing, I sent a beautiful curling cross with my left foot towards the back post and Chibike bundled it into the net. The half ended with the Addicks in the lead.
“The second half of the game began with some early pressure from Tottenham but this was quickly undone after Jason Adigun got his second of the game. A brilliant corner from Toby Bower found Adigun just inside the box and he sent a terrific side-footed volley back across the keeper into the bottom left corner.
“Later on in the game the two substitutes, Henry Rylah and Patrick Casey, combined for our 6th and final goal of the game. After Rylah showed a great change of pace on the right-wing, he sent a penetrative cross across the six-yard box for Patrick Casey arriving to tap the ball home at the back post to surely put the game to bed. For the rest of the game, we gave a much more mature defensive display which enabled us to win the game 6-3.
“This win leaves us in a great position being top of our group with one game to go, which is against Arsenal.”
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