Albury City teenager Obiora Eze showing the talent and commitment needed to make it at the top level

Obiora Eze, 16, has burst onto the AWFA scene this season and is already travelling to Melbourne for trials.

The attacking midfielder underlined his potential with a hat-trick for Albury City on Sunday as they stunned rivals Albury United 6-5.

Eze was composed on the ball, showed a great range of passing and broke the game open with some powerful driving runs from deep.

His first goal was a quality half-volley from the edge of the box and Eze also showed the knack of being in the right place at the right time to poach twice when the ball ran loose.

"He can be the best player in the league at the turn of a hat," City coach Ricky Piltz said. "He's that good.

"Coming through at such a young age, he's only getting better and more confident. He's an all-round football player, he defends, he attacks and he can score goals. He's fantastic.

"Not only that, he really fits in with the club and the players absolutely love him.

"I think he can be a professional. Being a professional is 90 percent commitment and I don't know any player that's more committed than him."

Eze gives City a great option playing in the hole behind the main striker, although his physique means he could do a job just about anywhere on the pitch.

"Obi's had a couple of trials down in Melbourne and he's currently playing for the Victoria team," Piltz said.

"He travels to Melbourne a lot to play teams like Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City.

"He's a fantastic kid with all the skill in the world. If somebody doesn't come and pick up a kid like him, I don't know who they want.

"His commitment to football is unbelievable.

"Having coached him for a couple of years at Murray United, I was just glad he chose to come to us when I turned into a senior coach.

"For a kid that's just turned 16 a couple of weeks ago, Obi's given us something to focus around this year. He's inspirational.

"There's no aggression in the way he plays, he goes out there and does his job, his team-mates have got belief in him and to see that maturity come out of a player his age, anything's possible for him.

"We're just lucky to have him this year."

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City face bottom side Cobram on Sunday before two huge home games against high-flying Myrtleford (June 6) and Wangaratta (June 20).

"To come up against the top three teams in a four-week period is a big test for us," Piltz said. "But getting the result against United gives us belief."

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