The Leicester City forward scored a wonderful solo goal in the opening Elite Round qualifier to round-off the 3-1 win over Norway on Saturday, taking his tally to four goals in as many games in the European Championship campaign.
Ndukwu and his team-mates travel to Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium this evening to take on the Slovenians, who also began the Elites with a victory against Romania, and the 16-year-old is hoping to add to his tally and fire the Young Lions one step closer to the tournament in Bulgaria.
Reflecting on his goal at the weekend, Ndukwu said: “I hit the bar twice in the first half. I was getting a little frustrated so it felt great to get my goal. I beat the full back to get one-v-one and scored.
England v Slovenia
U17 Euro Elite Qualifying Round
7pm, Monday 23 March 2015
Proact Stadium, Chesterfield
“Just before that I’d beaten him and managed to get a cross in but it was intercepted. So the next time I thought I’d get a shot off if I could.
“I just remember getting the ball, going past him and the angle was really tight. I spotted the keeper had his legs open and put it through.”
And that strike only whetted his appetite to match the tally of one of last year’s top marksman.
“I know Dominic Solanke got 11 goals in 14 games last year for the U17s, and I’m on six in nine.
“I’d like to match Dom’s record, so I need five more to equal it – that’s my next target.”
England were pegged back against Norway after taking the lead early on, but patience proved to be a virtue as their superiority eventually told in a strong second half performance.
Chelsea's Dominic Solanke has been prolific for England at youth level
“I thought we were solid and restricted them to not many opportunities. The biggest threat came from their corners, but we dealt with that very well,” said Ndukwu.
“It was a bit sloppy for us to conceded, so that gives us something to improve on for the next game.
“We showed good character once they equalised and stuck to our game plan. John had told us to remain patient, and we were.”
And ahead of this evening’s encounter, which could see England qualify with a win and if the other group match ends in a draw, Ndukwu is expecting a physical encounter.
“We know that they will be a strong team, tough physicality, but I’m always confident, and not just with the personal on the pitch,” he added.
“If you look at our bench, it is really strong, so if anything ever needs to be changed then whoever comes in is more than capable of doing a good job.
“We all believe, as a team, we can do well.”
Tickets for England’s clash with Slovenia this evening at Chesterfield, kick-off 7pm, are available on the gate.
