The inaugural Dominion Peace Cup scouting programme, held in Lagos, has identified more than 10 young footballers for possible opportunities with clubs abroad. The three-day event, organised by Dominion Excellent Football Academy, brought together young players from across Nigeria for an open scouting exercise monitored by football scouts from Europe. The academy’s founder, Ogechi Agana, stated that the tournament aimed to provide opportunities for talented players who had not yet attracted the attention of international clubs.
Scouts from Turkey, the Netherlands, and Germany participated in the exercise, assessing the talents of young players. According to Mrs Agana, the event was created to provide a platform for showcasing talent and creating equal opportunities for young players. The academy plans to continue working with the identified players to prepare them for opportunities with clubs outside Nigeria.
International football scout Benjamin James said the competition provided an opportunity to identify players with the potential to pursue professional careers in Europe. A selected group of about 21 players was picked for further assessment after the scouting exercise. Mr James noted that several players had caught the scouts’ attention, including a 16-year-old player, and expressed optimism about the potential of Nigerian young footballers.
However, Mr James stressed that talent alone was not enough to guarantee a successful transition to European football. He noted that the basics of football in Nigeria often affect players’ performance in Europe, and it takes hard work and dedication for players to succeed. Selected players would continue their training at their respective clubs while visa processing and other arrangements were being completed.
Turkish scout Oguzhan Turk, who was born and raised in the Netherlands and now scouts for clubs in Turkey, also expressed interest in the talent on display during the tournament. Mr Turk noted that several players demonstrated raw ability but would require further development. He stated that players selected for opportunities in Turkey would need to demonstrate commitment and a willingness to improve.
Mrs Agana said the Peace Cup was designed as an open trial, meaning players who were not selected would still have an opportunity to continue their development at the academy. The academy planned to make the competition a regular event, with another edition scheduled for November. Beyond football, the academy planned to expand its sporting activities to basketball, swimming, and tennis while retaining its faith-based approach to youth development.
For the players identified during the inaugural Peace Cup, the next stage will be to turn the attention generated during the tournament into sustained development and, potentially, opportunities with clubs outside Nigeria. The academy would continue to monitor the players even after they secure opportunities abroad, with plans to visit them and ensure their progress.
Key points
- Over 10 young Nigerian footballers identified for European opportunities after Dominion Peace Cup scouting programme.
- Dominion Excellent Football Academy plans to make the Peace Cup a regular event to continue identifying young talents.
- Selected players will continue their training and development before securing opportunities with clubs outside Nigeria.
