NFF/Zenith Bank tourney represents Nigeria’s future – Akinwunmi

NFF 1st Vice President and Chairman of the NFF Youth Football Committee, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has said many stars will still emerge from the NFF/ Zenith Bank tournament.
Akinwunmi said this on Tuesday, after another successful and highly inspiring conclusion of the competition.
This year’s event was concluded at the Agege Stadium. Five days of exciting youth football in Kano came to an exciting finale in Lagos with South East U15 boys emerging champions after a 5-2 spanking of their North West counterparts.
Yet, there were so many talents on display on both sides that Akinwunmi, who is also Chairman of the NFF Football Committee, was much delighted: “I am very happy at what I am seeing here. We can safely say the future is here. I had no doubt when we started this programme that we were on to a great thing.
“Indeed, in the next two years or thereabout, we would have no reason to go outside this competition to pick our U17 National Team. We are also emphasizing the importance of combining academics with football. Any player who is unable to do this will be dropped. You can never compare the ball sense and guile of a player who is combining education with football career with that of one who is unable to.”
Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer of this year’s competition, Divine Nwachukwu netted a hat –trick to steer the South Easterners to glory. His goals came in the 32nd, 43rd and 53rd minutes. Franklin Eneh had put South East ahead in the 21st minute, with Oluebube Oguduba sealing victory for them in the 75th minute. Ibrahim Saifulahi netted both goals for equally impressive North West in the 52nd and 60th minutes.

 

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