Impressed with the quality of talents he saw at the Glo Soccer Academy screening venue in Abuja on Monday, Daniel “The Bull” Amokachi has told the global soccer community that Africa is coming up fast to rule the world of soccer.
Thrilled by the skillful display of football by the youths who thronged the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, for the screening, Amokachi advised the enthusiastic boys to take their training very seriously and ensure full utilisation of the opportunity offered by the Glo Soccer Academy to etch their names in the world of football.
According to him, “Africans are gradually coming to dominate the centre stage of global football. I am convinced that the future of world football is in Africa. Foreign coaches know this and that is why they are beginning to show interest in our boys.”
Meanwhile, five youths emerged from the Abuja screening centre which ended on Tuesday. They are Godfrey Peter, 15, of Government Secondary School, Minna; Aliu Yakubu, 14, of Sunna High School, Jos; Obongwu Anthony, 17, of Ogirioko Memorial Secondary School, Makurdi; Abdulrahman Umar, 14, of Sunnah High School, Jos; and Sunday Momoh, 16, of Kakuri Day Secondary School, Kaduna.
They will join the rest boys at the Glo Soccer Academy Reality TV show in Lagos.
Amokachi noted that the rough economic climate in Africa and culture helped to strengthen African lads to compete favourably with their counterparts in Europe, adding that “today, there are two or three African boys in almost all the top clubs in Europe competing very well with their peers from other parts of the world.”
He advised the boys to be mindful of their poor background and utilise the opportunity offered by Glo Soccer Academy now for a better future.
According to the former national striker, “I give credit to Globacom for setting up this Academy that ensures that the boys blend football with academics.
“First, I am impressed by the level of the technical team led by Victor Ikpeba, working on the Academy. They are great African footballers of our time, and I have no doubt that they will do a great job in the Academy. I know they will go for the best because they know what it takes to be there,” Amokachi said.
“Again, if Glo is partnering with Manchester United to send the winners to the club’s training school, and offer scholarship, it means that the company has guaranteed brighter future for the boys”, he said. He therefore encouraged the boys to work hard to make the final list. “However, don’t feel bad if you don’t make the final list as you will agree with me that everybody cannot be selected. But I am convinced that all of you here have a great future in football,” the Bull enthused.
Coach Baffoe and his technical team advised those that did not make the selection not to be discouraged as they have a bright future in football. He praised the boys for their performances and regretted that Abuja centre could not produce more than the five selected. He advised them to try out their luck next year.
The final screening will hold in Lagos on November 11 after which the train will move to Benin Republic.
