Samuel Adindu helps Hammarby TFF take step towards promotion

Nigerian forward Samuel Adindu scored the only goal on Thursday as Hammarby TFF won 1-0 in the first leg of their promotion playoff to reach Sweden’s second tier Superettan.

The 19-year-old, on loan from top division side Hammarby to its feeder club in the Swedish third tier Division 1 Norra (North), provided the only goal to help Hammarby TFF win 1-0 at home against second tier side Örebro. The two teams will meet again for the second leg on Sunday, where the victor will play in the Superettan next season.

Adindu, who successfully completed a permanent transfer to the top tier Swedish club in July from Lagos-based Future Football Academy, is enjoying a strong first season in European club football with its reserve side. He scored 14 goals in 30 matches this season in the third division and could very well boost the club up to second tier football.

If anything, his strong performances will improve his prospects with his parent club, who finished runners-up in the top division Allsvenskan this season.

The 2001 Allsvenskan champions continue to focus on bringing in young African talent, with current Atalanta and Ivory Coast national team defender Odilon Kossounou a good example of a player who developed at the club. Kossounou only needed half a season before moving to Belgium’s Club Brugge and eventually Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.

Since coming into existence in 2003, Hammarby TFF have never progressed beyond the third tier. Adindu could help the club make history on Sunday, in a squad that also includes young Liberian talent Saah Moses, Jr. as well as a couple other young African talents.