Atalanta BC head coach Ivan Juric has publicly praised the performances of 17 year old defender Honest Ahanor ahead of the club’s Serie A fixture against SS Lazio.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Juric singled out Ahanor for the “very good” display he has been putting in and for his ability to contribute at the back despite his young age.
Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, Ahanor remains eligible to represent Nigeria internationally a possibility that the Nigeria Football Federation may well monitor as part of its long-term talent strategy.
Juric emphasised that the team has had positive training sessions, and that technical evaluations will determine who plays, adding that Ahanor’s readiness has been noted.
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Editorial
When a young defender like Honest Ahanor draws public acclaim from a coach as exacting as Ivan Juric, it is not simply a moment of praise it is a turning point. At 17, Ahanor stands at the junction of potential and possibility, and the manner in which Atalanta choose to integrate him will shape not just his career, but the club’s identity as a cultivator of talent.
Juric’s comments suggest that Ahanor is more than a future prospect he is a present contributor. That is significant. In elite football, especially in Serie A, defensive discipline is non-negotiable. To trust a teenager in that environment demands courage, conviction and structure. The club must now support him with clarity of role, mentorship and incremental exposure.
For Nigerian football, the situation takes added nuance. Ahanor’s eligibility means that his pathway may lead to two nations the place of birth and the country of ancestry. For the Super Eagles, keeping tabs on such talents is essential they represent the future of Nigeria’s next defensive generation.
Yet the narrative should not rush. Talent needs scaffolding. Ahanor must now navigate the transition from adolescent promise to professional consistency. Injuries, tactical errors, psychological dips these are the hidden culprits of derailment. Juric’s commendation is encouraging, but the measure of success will be how the club protects, challenges and ultimately deploys him.
If he fulfills the promise, Ahanor could embody the sweet spot of modern football: youthful exuberance aligned with structural maturity. His climb will not be defined by one quote, one match or one recognition but by day-in, day-out reliability. And for Atalanta, this is how a club ensures that its future is inherited, not just hoped for.
Did You Know?
- Honest Ahanor is 17 years old and currently playing in the youth/reserve ranks of Atalanta, yet already drawing first-team mention.
- He was born in Italy to Nigerian parents, and thus qualifies to represent either Italy or Nigeria at international level.
- Ivan Juric has specifically praised Ahanor’s defensive contributions in training and readiness ahead of an important Serie A match.
- The match in question was against SS Lazio at the Gewiss Stadium, as Atalanta prepared for their Serie A fixture.
- The Nigeria Football Federation may view Ahanor as part of their long-term planning for defensive talent, given his Nigerian heritage and early development.
