GS Magna Future Stars, Taking Soccer Talent Hunt To The Next Level

When GS Magna Future Stars scouting program was birthed early this year, many did not know that a veritable platform for the identification of good players at the grassroots was being born. And with the second edition of the scouting tournament staged recently at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium in Lagos, it is obvious that GS Magna is the right place to be.

Organised by a United Kingdom (UK) based FIFA certified sports agency, GS Magna Future Stars scouting program featured some of the best grassroots football clubs in Lagos, with the ultimate aim of selecting top talents within the nooks and crannies of the country that will be graciously supported and further developed to take their career in football to the next level.

The second edition featured no fewer than 16 clubs and soccer academies in Lagos, southwest Nigeria at the end of which Collins Edwin FC defeated G12 Football Club by 3 goals to 1 to win the June edition of the program.

“It was indeed a keenly contested tournament and it lived up to its billing”, said Ladi Sanyaolu, FIFA players agent, who is a Director at GS Magna.

According to him, the talent hunt competition featured some of the best clubs and soccer academies in Lagos, while the event was organised to support the best young talent to take their career in the round leather game to the next level.

Speaking with reporters, Sanyaolu congratulated Nigeria’s U-20 team and their coach, Ladan Bosso, who was physically present on the final day of the program at the National Stadium, for winning the WAFU B Championship in the Niger Republic and qualifying Nigeria for the next Africa U-20 Nations Cup.

Sanyaolu revealed that he was motivated to organise the tournament because he believes there is a need to give Nigerian budding talents the opportunity to showcase their skills in football to the world.

“We organised the competition because I believe Nigeria has a lot of these young talents and we must not allow them to waste away,” he said.

To the Chairman of 36Lions Football Club, Gafaar Liamed, the scouting program was a huge opportunity for the participating clubs to expose their wards, adding that it would give the U-20 team coaching crew led by Bosso the avenue to see players who could be recruited to the Flying Eagles.

“There is no doubt that Coach Ladan Bosso is the best youth coach in Nigeria now. He was invited to see young talent in action. We need him and he needs us,” Liamed said.

He believes Nigerian youth players must be allowed to grow in their career; a progression that will enhance their career, and add value to their life and the game in the country.

Bosso, who was elated with the display of the youngsters in the tournament, noted that the talent scouting tournament came at a good time as the coaching crew of the Flying Eagles is beefing up the team ahead of the U-20 AFCON, adding that there are positions in the squad that need additional players to fortify the team.

The grand finale of the 2022 GS Magna Future Stars scouting program will hold in December.