Nigerian starlet Ibrahim Adewale has completed one of the most remarkable ascents in Scandinavian football, sealing a November 2025 move to Mjällby AIF, the newly crowned champions of Sweden’s Allsvenskan.
Before moving to Sweden, Adewale was shaped at the renowned Tripple 44 Academy in Ibadan, a talent-producing hub responsible for grooming several top Nigerian exports, including Abel Ogwuche (Trelleborgs FF), Usman Owoyemi Ajibola (IF Karlstad), and Prince Amos (Vasalunds IF).
Founder of Tripple 44 Academy Olatunji Okuku, who spoke exclusively to Footy-Africa, said he is proud of Adewale’s achievement in a short while, despite the difficulties the player faced in the early years of his career.
“Younger version of Chukwueze”
Tripple 44 Academy chief has praised the remarkable rise of Nigerian youngster Ibrahim Adewale, expressing pride in the player’s resilience and tipping him for both club and national team success.
“I am happy for the boy as his perseverance has paid off, and I believe he is going to succeed for his club and be important for Nigeria too,” Okuku said in an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa, reflecting on the forward’s journey from grassroots football in Ibadan to newly crowned Swedish champions Mjällby AIF.
Okuku revealed that Adewale’s potential was evident from the moment they first met:
“We found him in 2018 when someone introduced him to us. Even though he was quite young and frail, the talent was undeniable, so we started working with him.”
However, the path to Europe was far from straightforward.
“A lot happened between that period and the COVID era in 2020/21 when we had offers for him, but they failed to materialise for various reasons,” he explained. “Adewale even came close to signing for top clubs before administrative issues stalled progress. He was to go to Malmö and even visited them twice, but it did not work out. In fact, a club in Finland and others were interested in him too. IFK Norrköping were supposed to sign him, but that also did not materialise.”
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Faced with setbacks, Okuku opted for a bold but strategic decision.
“Instead of keeping him out of football, I felt he should join IF Karlstad in the third tier because I knew it was just a matter of time before he would be spotted. I was correct. Now he will be turning out for one of the biggest clubs in Sweden who will play in the Champions League qualifiers. I am happy for him and the academy as a whole,” he added.
When asked what type of player Adewale is, Okuku described him as a dynamic, modern winger:
“Adewale is very versatile and can play either from the right or left side of attack, as he is comfortable from both wings. He has pace and can dribble quite well, as his stats at Karlstad show. He is also humble and dedicated, willing to learn. I am sure he will be a big hit with Mjällby.”
He also drew comparisons with a well-known Nigerian star:
“I link him to a younger version of Samuel Chukwueze, and I predict it will be a matter of time before the 19-year-old earns a spot in the Super Eagles.”
For Okuku, Adewale represents the next generation the national team should groom:
“When you look at the wingers in the national team, they are all progressing and ageing, so we need fresher options. Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, and Chidera Ejuke are the wingers we have now, and they are at an advanced stage of their careers.”
“Adewale can bring a lot to that department as he is quick, can cross the ball, and has the ability to beat his man. There are aspects of his game that need improvement, but that will come with time. He has the ability to play for Nigeria in the next year or two. I am sure he can do it, but he has to want it and work hard for it,” he added.
The football affocianado also stated that the Academy’s aim is not to just produce footballer, but vibrant young men of character who can influence their peers and be good role models.
“Yes, we do groom footballers and teach them the basic of football so that they can excel in their careers, but that is not all we do here,” he stated. “We groom young men to be responsible adults with good character and also have the ability to positively influence their peers and the society as a whole. That is what we seek to achieve here at the academy.”
Tripple 44 Academy continues to cement its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading football nurseries, having recently produced talents such as Abel Ogwuche and Emmanuel Godwin (Trelleborgs), Ozor Okeke (IF Elfsborg), Adam Mustapha (Shooting Stars) and Ifeoluwa Olowoporoku (IFK Göteborg)
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Adewale’s journey
The 19-year-old’s rise from the third tier of Swedish football to a title-winning side now bound for the UEFA Champions League qualifiers has been hailed as “a very impressive move” by scouts who have tracked his development closely.
Adewale first caught attention during his breakout loan spell at IF Karlstad, where he delivered a stellar debut professional season.
He quickly became the standout revelation of the Ettan Norra, dazzling opponents with his flair, strength, and fearless ball-carrying ability.
The Nigerian finished the campaign with 13 goals and eight assists across all competitions, including 12 league goals, five assists, and a memorable strike in the Svenska Cupen against Umeå FC.
His dribbling success rate was the best in the division, making him one of the league’s most difficult attackers to contain.
During the 2023/2024 academy season, Adewale contributed 20 combined goals and assists, drawing interest from Malmö FF, IF Elfsborg, and IFK Norrköping. He even trained with Malmö twice, but administrative issues stalled a potential deal.
