Atalanta’s Juric Praises 17 Year Old Defender Honest Ahanor’s Displays
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.
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.
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.
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.