Three players in the just concluded Soccer talent hunt organised by Natasha Akpoti Foundation have been selected to join Nigeria under-20 national team.
The players who resumed camp are Yahaya Abdulrauf Amoto from Adavi local, Muhammed Ibrahim Onogu from Okene local government and Usman Faruk from Ida local government.
Speaking to journalists, the head coach of the Flying Eagles, Paul Aigbogun, said the performances of the players will determine their chances and playing time in the squad.
Aigbogun, said his team is currently preparing for the 2019 African Youth Championship (AYC) in Niger which he said will be coming up on 2nd February.
According to him, the top four of the tournament will automatically qualify for the under-20 world cup scheduled for May in Poland, adding that it is one of the reasons the boys need to prove themselves.
Speaking shortly after the boys joined their colleagues in Abuja camp, the founder of Natasha Akpoti foundation, Barr. Natasha Akpoti said, two other players for under-17 and two others for under-15 national teams will soon resume their respective camps.
Natasha Akpoti Foundation in collaboration with Soccer for Peace foundation, Webster group, and Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) recently organised Soccer Talent Hunt in Kogi State where outstanding players were selected by NFF to join Nigeria national teams.
The Grassroot Soccer Talent Hunt, an initiative of Natasha Akpoti Foundation (NAF), in partnership with Soccer for Peace Foundation and Webster Group, with the approval of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) was aimed at giving helping hands to the youths and unravel their hidden potentials to the world.
The soccer talent hunt started with screening of 45 players selected from the three senatorial districts of Kogi state held at the Kogi polytechnic field, Lokoja Kogi State, in November.
30 players were selected at the end of the screening, 10 players from Kogi Central, 10 from Kogi East, and 10 players from Kogi West. The 30 players were divided into 2 teams of 15 players each, making Team Natasha Akpoti and Team Amaju Pinnick.
The final stage of the Soccer talent talent took place in Ihima Township Stadium, OKehi local government, Kogi State on 11th November, Amaju Pinnick team won the match with a prize of one million naira and the runner up with five hundred thousand naira.
The Kogi Central SDP senatorial candidate who is famous for championing the advocacy for Ajaokuta revitalisation to boost Nigeria economy and create opportunities for the teeming youths said, she is poised to explore all avenue as well as using her connection to making the youths realise their career path.
