Liverpool exciting youngster Rio Ngumoha was pictured wearing Nigeria’s iconic 1996 jersey.
Ngumoha was captured in a photo posted on the X handle of ESPN Africa beaming with excitement while putting on the jersey.
The famous jersey is what Nigeria’s U-23 Eagles known as ‘Dream Team’ wore when they won gold in the football event at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games in the United States.
Led by Dutch Coach Johannes Bonfrere, the Dream Team overcame football power houses like Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.
This latest photo of Ngumoha would no doubt generate interest from Nigerians who would not mind seeing him represent the country.
The 17-year-old has featured 17 times in the Premier League this season and has scored two goals and has one assist.
Born in England, Ngumoha is of Nigerian and Guadeloupean descent. He holds both Nigerian and French nationalities from his parents.
Appearance For Junior Three Lions
He made his England under-15 and England U16 debuts in 2023. In October 2024, he played for England U17. He was called-up for the 2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.
On 3 September 2025, Ngumoha made his England U19 debut during a 2–0 win over Ukraine at the Pinatar Arena.
Departing Chelsea For Liverpool
Ngumoha joined the Chelsea academy aged eight and scored in Chelsea’s 3–1 win over Wolves in the U17 Premier League Cup final in April 2024.
He joined Liverpool in the summer of 2024 and in the autumn of the 2024–25 season, and was called-up to train with the Liverpool first team squad by manager Arne Slot.
He was named amongst the match day substitutes for Liverpool’s EFL Cup tie against Southampton on 18 December 2024.
Records At Liverpool
On 25 August, Ngumoha made his Premier League debut as an added-time substitute for Cody Gakpo and scored in the 10th minute of stoppage time, securing a 3–2 away win over Newcastle United and becoming the youngest goalscorer in club history.
The goal also surpassed Darwin Núñez’s winning goal against Nottingham Forest in March 2024 by a minute to become the club’s latest game-winning goal in the Premier League.
On 17 September, a month later, he made his UEFA Champions League debut in a 3–2 victory over Atlético Madrid, at just 17 years and 19 days old, making him the youngest Liverpool player to appear in the competition, breaking the previous record held by Trey Nyoni. A week later, on 25 September, he signed his first professional contract with Liverpool.
On 11 April 2026, Ngumoha scored his first goal at Anfield in a 2–0 win against Fulham, becoming the youngest player to achieve this feat, aged 17 years and 225 days, breaking the previous record set by Raheem Sterling.
By James Agberebi
