HOMOGENEOUS PLAY DIVERSE SWEDEN

Bayo Salau
@xhalaubayo


Elias Andersson combined with Gustav Engvall for Sweden’s first goal of the U-17 World Cup. These are two blond-haired, blue-eyed boys with very Swedish names, but it soon became clear that the yellow-clad team competing in UAE is anything but homogeneous.There are 11 different nationalities in the 21-man squad, with players tracing their roots to ports as far as Africa, Asia and Europe.

But could that mean that the diverse roots that lies within be the reason for their run so far impressive in the tournament.

Taking a closer look at the diverse Sweden team, combining in total harmony on the world stage - serving up their meatballs with spices from all corners of the globe one would be fired up for an interesting show down with Nigeria U-17 side for the second time in the competition. But for the debutant how has the journey been with the diverse nationals of different root thus far.
The story begins with Valmir Berisha. Born in Albania before moving with his family to Sweden when he was two, he’s scored four goals in a menacing and entertaining display. The flamboyant No 9,  now has four goals ahead of a semi-final rematch with Nigeria in Dubai.
Gentrit Citaku also has Albanian roots and his delicate through ball picked out Erdal Rakip, of Turkish origins, who slotted home elegantly to send Sweden on their way to victory in the quarter-final against Honduras. Having already made his senior team debut for Swedish giants Malmo, it’s likely this won’t be the last Sweden jersey the impressive Rakip pulls on before his career is up.

The  tall, powerful and dark-skinned Carlos Strandberg,is another and  Noah Sonko, a tall and rangy centre-back who traces his roots back to the Gambia, a west African country not far from Nigeria made this team really fearful.  One thing to be highlighted is that Swedish players are known for being strong and fast, and have been resilient in all manners before the face of the world. Huge technical ability of the guys from the Balkans and the good stuff the African guys possess too-power and technique, then they should be more than just a threat to any team that comes forth.

Wherever their roots originate, this Swedish team have amazing chemistry, humility, good humour and, perhaps most of all, resilience. They lost their top midfielder, Isak Ssewankambo – who hails from Uganda – to injury after only 15 minutes of football at the finals. With arguably their best midfielder sent home to Chelsea, where he’s already agreed to professional terms, the Swedes soldiered on without him.

With the diversity a strong point of their stellar run so far,one will wonder if their defence, will have the same level of comfort when the goal-hungry Golden Eaglets come calling a second time.