Five days of talent hunt at the Jonac World of Sports football screening trials, revealed a list full of talented youngsters, who may be the future of Nigerian and world football.
The screening exercise held at the training pitch of the National Stadium Surulere featured youths from over the country and for the scouts from within the country and Europe, it was a worthwhile exercise and it is left for those discovered to contrate with the hope of berthing in the right football atmosphere that will develop their careers.
The final list selected players formed team A and B, they put up quite a show in last exhibition match and the watching spectors including Mr. Joseph Odobeatu, Chairman/Managing Director of the O’Jez Entertainment group, ace highlife musician Sunny Nneji, veteran broadcaster Efiong Nyoung and many others were thrilled. The game was also live streamed on social media.
“Thanks to the organisers for giving us this opportunity to show what we can do,” said one of the selected players, Silas Odemero, a goalkeeper.
“Hopefully I am looking forward to a rewarding career in football starting from here.”
Speaking of his impression on the screening exercise Victor Lebro Fernandez a Spanish scout who has been to several countries in Africa searching for talents, said it was amazing the quality of skill displayed by the young players adding that if given the right training and development a good number of them will find their way to European league.
“It’s been a positive impression after five days,” said Mr. Fernandez
“We have been so professional in our selecting the players and from the list we have made, we have seen quality players who can be developed to be professional footballers who can play in different categories of the European league.”
Also speaking Mr. Andrew Odobeatu a top executive of Jonac World of Sports said it has been a rewarding outcome and the future of the players selected was bright.
“This has been a successful scouting programme organised by Jonac World of Sports for players all over the Federation.
“It was a great exercise and the scouts from Europe who were taking notes are happy with what they have seen; the young players display awesome skills. All they have to do is to keep playing with confidence, while they develop themselves.
“I’m sure that some of them would be going to Europe to play in the nearest future,” said Mr. Odobeatu.
The programme was powered by the O’jez entertainment group and supported by LaLiga. It ran from February 26 to March 3.
