Nigerian teenage centreback Odel Offiah to face Arsenal in next round of Carabao Cup

NIGERIAN teenage centreback Odel Offiah has made his season's debut for English Premier League side Brighton & Hove featuring for them in yesterday's Carabao Cup match when the Seagulls beat League One side Forest Green Rovers 3-0.

At the match which took place at Forest Green Rovers' Bolt New Lawn ground in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, Offiah came on to make his Brighton debut for the season in the second half. On January 31, this year, Offiah committed his future with Brighton by signing a new contract that runs until June 2024.

Born in Camden to Nigerian parents, Offiah, 19, is the nephew of former Rugby League and Rugby Union player Martin Offiah. A youngster who came through the tanks of the Bromley Academy, helping their U13 side win the Kent Youth Cup in 2016, Offiah joined Brighton & Hove Albion's academy in 2017.

Offiah has fond memories of the Carabao Cup, having made his professional debut against Cardiff City in the second round of the competition during the 2021/22 season before making the bench against Swansea City and Leicester City in the third and fourth rounds respectively. Yesterday, he returned to the competition sporting jersey number 42 for Brighton.

He came off the bench to replace Deniz Undav with 25 minutes go, marking his first squad involvement since the final day of last season. Undav opened the scoring for the Seagulls in the 38th minute and then Steven Alzate doubled their advantage in the first minute of first half stoppage time, before a late goal from Evan Ferguson sealed the win.

Following their victory, Graham Potter's side will now face Arsenal in the third round of the Carabao Cup with the game taking place at the Emirates Stadium in London in November. Offiah will be hoping to take to the field against the Gunners in what would be a famous victory if Brighton win at the Emirates.