Nigerian, Dutch Agents Storm Lagos For Footballers

OLISEMEKA OBI

A United States-based Nigerian born FIFA licenced agent, Sebastine Ifeanyi Onyeka has rolled out series of initiatives aimed at helping the lot of Nigerian footballers whose dream of playing professional football abroad have being frustrated due to lack of opportunities.

Onyeka, who is the proprietor of Ozor Football Club and Academy based in Ikeja, Lagos told our reporter that part of the initiatives is to collaborate with renowned football agents from Europe to help link up our local players with average clubs in European leagues.

To actualise this, the Anambra State-born Onyeka is bankrolling a screening exercise for players at the Isheri – Berger field on Saturday 27 May and Sunday 28 May, a with a Dutch football scout, Serban Cakir, in attendance.

The Amsterdam-based Cakir is an official scout for many clubs in Europe and is in Nigeria specifically to discover talents for the next football season.

He told our reporter that he believes so much in the ability of Nigerian players hence it was a dream come true to collaborate with Ozor Football Academy.

“Nigeria is a country with lot of football talents and I believe that with proper scouting, opportunities will be created for more players in Europe and that’s why I came to Nigeria on the invitation of Mr Sabastine Onyeka,” the Dutch agent said.

Onyeka noted that his initiative is a novelty because the players are not tasked financially in any form.

“All the 16 teams participating in the screening exercise are doing so free and all players that the foreign scout will select will be sponsored for an all-expenses paid trip to the European clubs that will need them,” he said.

He added that already a total of 10 players will be leaving for Georgia and Turkey for a one month trials with various clubs.

“Already, we have their tickets and all travelling arrangements completed. The players now have their destinies in their hands,”, he added.

Onyeka acknowledged the support of another USA based Nigeria sports consultant, Polite Onumah of Chiposports who has also contributed in the initiative of discovering fresh player from Nigeria.

He pointed out that his dream is to see Nigerian players rise again in numbers playing quality football in good leagues all over the world.

“I’ve linked up with various agents in different parts of the world trying to create opportunities for our upcoming footballers,” Onyeka summed.