Liverpool youth player Ngumoha Dorn wears Nigeria’s iconic 1996 jersey

Liverpool prospect Rio Ngumoha was photographed wearing Nigeria’s iconic 1996 Olympic jersey.

The image, shared on the X account of ESPN Africa, shows the 17‑year‑old smiling as he dons the historic shirt.

The jersey was worn by Nigeria’s U‑23 team, nicknamed the Dream Team, when they captured gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games in the United States.

Under Dutch coach Johannes Bonfrere, the Dream Team defeated football powerhouses such as Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.

The photo is likely to spark interest among Nigerians who would welcome Ngumoha’s potential representation of the country.

Ngumoha has appeared 17 times in the Premier League this season, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

Born in England, he is of Nigerian and Guadeloupean descent and holds Nigerian and French nationalities through his parents. He made his England under‑15 and under‑16 debuts in 2023, played for England U17 in October 2024, and was selected for the 2025 UEFA European Under‑17 Championship.

On 3 September 2025, Ngumoha earned his England U19 debut in a 2–0 win over Ukraine at the Pinatar Arena.

He joined the Chelsea academy at age eight and scored in Chelsea’s 3–1 win over Wolves in the U17 Premier League Cup final in April 2024.

Ngumoha transferred to Liverpool in the summer of 2024 and, during the autumn of the 2024–25 season, was invited to train with the first‑team squad by manager Arne Slot.

He was named among the substitutes for Liverpool’s EFL Cup match against Southampton on 18 December 2024.

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 eclipsed Darwin Núñez’s winning strike against Nottingham Forest in March 2024 by a minute, making it Liverpool’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, becoming the youngest Liverpool player to appear in the competition and 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 do so at 17 years and 225 days, surpassing the record set by Raheem Sterling.

By James Agberebi