The fearless Joy Bokiri, a player with large heart

Initially thrusted into the spotlight as a 13- year-old in the 2012 FIFA U17 World Cup held in Azerbaijan, when FIFA assessors publicly stated that someone from the Nigerian team would make it to the top, Joy Bokiri has certainly developed quickly over the past 12 months.

For such a young player, the Bayelsa Queens ace is unique, she is a team player. A lot of players make noise about where their best position is on the football pitch. However she has played out wide on numerous occasions for Bayelsa.

Putting the team first is a trait that not all young strikers have got and this is one of the reasons why Joy is an asset to any team.

Joy’s main assets are her pace, movement and ability of keeping possession. She is a tough customer to opposing teams. Her attributes make her particularly flexible with regard to playing in different systems; whether in a 4-3-3 or in a 4-4-2 formation up top, as a second striker, or as a winger.

She should be a force at both club and national levels in the coming years.