By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
No fewer than 300 players from across Nigeria showcased their football skills in the weeklong Carl Academy/Cadiz CF Talent Hunt 2023 scouting programme which ended in Abuja at weekend with over a dozen of the players sure of being recommended for professional career abroad.
Specifically, players from the ages 18 to 20 were selected by the scouts from Spain and Canada at the 2023 edition of the Talent Hunt, an annual recruitment competition organised by Carl Academy and Football College in conjunction with Roberts Canada Soccer Academy which took place at Area 3 playground, Garki, Abuja.
Among the teams that participated in the scouting programme are Carl Academy and Football College, Umuahia; Sensational Stars, Abuja; TSI Football Academy, Osogbo, Osun State; ECN Global Academy, Abuja and Bohold FC, Umunneochi, Abia State.
Others are Esprings Academy, Ondo, Ondo State; Jazzy Stars of Jos; Star Peak FC, Akwanga, Nasarawa State and One Touch FC, Abuja and Mamba PRO FC, etc.
Addressing the players who took part in the programme on the final day, Head Scout Mr. Eddie Roberts, a Spanish-Canadian and his assistant revealed that they saw alot of talents in Nigeria, pointing out that several players who played in the tournament have the capacity to play in the big leagues abroad.
“I must confess that there are many talents in Nigeria and if what we saw in the past one week is anything to rely upon then Nigeria is truly a powerhouse in world football. I am impressed by what we saw but unfortunately only few can be said to be ready to play in Europe immediately”, Roberts said.
Also, addressing the players, Founder of Carl Academy and Football College and the sole sponsor of the Talent Hunt programme, Pastor Emeka Inyama, expressed his joy that Nigeria has abundant talents, stressing that the performance of the players who took part in the competition was top notch. READ ALSO:
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Inyama also commended the teams that participated in the scouting programme despite the tough economic climate in Nigeria, adding that the competition lived up to his expectations by producing many talents that could be given the opportunity to try their luck abroad.
The next edition of the programme will be in 2024.
