Rising Star, Raheem Salaudeen Embraces New Challenge As Team Nigeria Departs For Algeria

The 15-year old Raheem will represent Nigeria in the school boys’ football category as the country fields a delegation competing in 10 sports: Athletics (12 athletes), Swimming (8), Football (18), Taekwondo (4), Beach Canoe (4), Badminton (3), Basketball 3×3 (3), Beach Volleyball (2), Cycling (2), and Table Tennis (2).

Raheem, who gained national attention at age 13 when he featured in the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO), became the youngest player to appear in the country’s third-tier football league. His performance earned recognition from the NLO on its official platforms, signaling his potential as one of Nigeria’s future football stars.

He was also part of the Future Eagles squad that toured Morocco in December 2024 and played in the 2024/2025 NLO season for Buruj FC, all while successfully balancing academics with his sports career.

Speaking ahead of his departure, Raheem expressed gratitude and excitement about representing Nigeria on the continental stage.

 He said, “I give thanks to God for the opportunity and for the talent He has given me. I’m very happy to be part of this historic team representing Nigeria at the first African School Sports Championship. I’m ready to give my best, make the nation proud, and represent Buruj Sports Academy well”.

The youngster, who idolizes Lionel Messi, credited Buruj Sports Academy and its Play and Study Initiative for helping him pursue both football and education.

“The academy prepared me for this. With their support, I’m able to chase my football dreams while still focusing on becoming an accountant after my football career” he said.

Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, described the championship as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s grassroots sports development.

“This championship means a lot to us because it is about planting seeds. These student-athletes are ambassadors of our future. We are deliberate in creating pathways from the classroom to the global stage,” Olopade stated.

Team Nigeria was camped at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, before departure, undergoing intensive training to prepare for the continental showdown.

The African School Sports Championship is organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), with the aim of instilling Olympic values in young Africans while promoting talent identification, development, and integration through structured grassroots participation.

In line with participation guidelines, all Nigerian athletes presented valid school certificates, while the NSC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), ensured proper parental authorization for underage athletes.

Nigeria’s participation in the championship aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to grassroots sports, as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader agenda to build a sustainable sports development ecosystem from the grassroots to elite levels.