Former Nigerian international footballers, Mutiu Adepoju and Victor Agali, have emphasised that the future of football in Nigeria depends on the identification and proper development of young talents.
The duo made this known on Wednesday in Aramoko Ekiti during the final match of the Mayegun Ademola Adetifa Foundation (MAAF) 2025 Games Competition.
Team Isao 1 emerged champions of the second edition of the tournament after edging Team Oke Oja 2 in a thrilling 4–3 final, while Team Oke Oja 1 finished as second runner-up.
Adepoju explained that he and Agali attended the final with the aim of spotting promising players who could be groomed for higher levels of the game.
After the match, the former international said, “There are definitely good talents here. We have seen some players who can be developed. We are here to identify them, and we will do our best to ensure that these talents are invited or given opportunities to progress.”
He also called on governments to provide sustained support for football development by investing in clubs and academies and creating a conducive environment for sports to thrive.
Agali, supporting Adepoju’s views, praised the organisers for their commitment to discovering and nurturing young football talents.
“We have seen some exciting young players here,” Agali said. “The next step is to follow up after the final. We will continue to do our best, both individually and collectively. Football development should not be left to the government alone. Everyone must contribute. The organisers are doing their part, and together we can move football and sports forward in the country.”
The founder of MAAF, Ademola Adetifa, said the initiative was designed to promote grassroots football in Aramoko Ekiti and help young players achieve global recognition.
“With the right guidance and support, these young talents can achieve great things and make a name for themselves on the international stage,” Adetifa said. “Beyond talent discovery, the tournament also promotes unity, love and togetherness within our community.”
He added that former football stars were invited to inspire and mentor the youths, revealing that the foundation was considering inviting legends such as Austin ‘JJ’ Okocha or Kalu Nwankwo for the 2026 edition of the games.
