Nigerian Football
FIFA licensed Spanish scouts select 15 Imo State football talents for trials in Europe
A week long screening of over 1000 young football talents at Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri by three FIFA certified scouts, has ended with promising results for football development in Imo State.
The football scouts worked in conjunction with Chief Michael Amaefule the Chairman of Kun Khalifa Football Club Owerri.
The trio of three Spanish Scouts; Clovis Govn, Pako Pepe Daswani and Palo PepaTrijilo, conducted the Herculean task of selecting 48 young talents out of 1000 during the preliminary trial exercise that eventually produced 15 budding stars that have been slated for Europe in pursuit of their respective football careers in the coming weeks and months .
The FIFA licensed scouts expressed satisfaction with the exercise and commended Nigeria and Imo State in particular for having the abundant untapped football talents and assured that when adequately harnessed in Europe, the 15 young talents will make Nigeria proud .
In his comments, the Ahiazu Mbaise Imo State born Chairman of Kun Khalifa Football Club of Owerri Chief Michael Amaefule the sponsor of the programme, pledged to continue to eradicate idleness and poverty amongst youths by supporting football talents hunts and development.
He appealed to Imo State Government to assist in identifying talented youths with the enabling environment such as scholarship backed empowerment initiatives for them to excel within and outside Nigeria.
Deputy Speaker Imo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Chyna Amara Iwuanyanwu and the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Developmen, Dan Ogu in their separate speeches promised that the shared prosperity government of Senator Hope Uzodinma Governor of Imo State, will not relent in its avowed determination to continue to initiate youth friendly policies and programmes that will uplift youths in Imo State to the next level.
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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