Chairman of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Gbenga Elegbeleye is delighted that five players scouted at the maiden NPFL U-17 Youth League have made the list of Nigeria’s U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets.
The Golden Eaglets are in Ghana for 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 Edward Ochigbo of Sporting Lagos and Rangers goalkeeper Chinedu Chike 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 NPFL, which is to assist Nigeria 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, on the NPFL Board feel a sense of satisfaction from 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 U-20 and Olympic teams for Nigeria”, continued Elegbeleye.
Gbenga Elegbeleye who also is also the 2nd Vice President of NFF then tasked the four 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 World Cup Finals.