Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye is delighted that four players scouted at the maiden NPFL U-17 Youth League made it to the final list of the Nigeria U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets.
The Golden Eaglets are in Ghana for the West African Football Union (WAFU) qualifying tournament for the Africa U-17 Nations Cup.
Remo Stars trio of Oreoluwa Agbenla, Muiz Oladimeji and Daniel Arierhi, as well as Rangers goalkeeper Chinedu Chike and Edward Ochigbo of Sporting Lagos made the list of players picked by coach Manu Garba
“We have obviously met one of the cardinal objectives of initiating the Youth League for our Clubs in the NPFL, which is to assist the Football Federation and their Coaches scout for talents.
“The Youth League is a requirement of the NFF Club Licensing Regulations and the benefits are many, including providing the clubs a steady and ready replacement of ageing players and those who move away to their clubs”, explained Elegbeleye.
He further noted that football, like any other business, must have a steady line of stock replenishment or it will lose the market.
“We, in the NPFL Board feel a sense of satisfaction at the outcome of the NPFL Youth League in its very first edition and we look forward to not only seeing the young lads dominate regular club football but also make it to the U-20 and Olympic teams for Nigeria”, continued Elegbeleye, who also is the 2nd Vice President of the NFF.
He then tasked the five players to be good ambassadors of the NPFL U17 Youth League by playing very well to contribute to Nigeria’s qualification for the CAF Cadet Championship and ultimately, the FIFA U-17 Finals.
Pastor Emeka Inyama, a former NFF Executive Committee member and immediate past Chairman of Abia Warriors, was the Head of the Organising Committee of the NPFL Youth League which held in Benin, Edo State. Rivers United emerged the champions.