By Joel Ajayi

Green Atlas Football Academy has reaffirmed its commitment to discovering, nurturing, and positioning young Nigerian talents for sustainable careers in global football.

Speaking at a media parley in Abuja, the Chairman of Atlas Green Sports Academy, Amb. Dr. Tayo Moses Adebisi, said the ongoing scouting tournament is part of a broader vision designed to help Nigerian players succeed both locally and internationally.

According to him, the initiative goes beyond building a football club, focusing instead on creating a structured development system that identifies, trains, and connects players to opportunities across Europe, Asia, the United States, and other competitive leagues.

In line with this vision, the academy recently hosted a youth tournament featuring Under-17, Under-18, and Under-19 players—an event already being described as a significant step toward unlocking Nigeria’s vast football potential.

“We are not just building a club; we are building a system that helps young players realise their full potential.

 “Nigeria is blessed with abundant football talent, but what many of these players need is the right platform and guidance which we are currently providing.

A major highlight of the tournament was the presence of international football experts, including Belgium-born Greek international Theodoros Zakkas, Former Super Eagles player Ameachi Otti and others stakeholders whose experience in player development and European football networks added technical depth to the exercise.

While speaking, Zakkas noted that while several players showed promise, only a few demonstrated the football intelligence required to compete at higher levels.

“I saw three or four players with big potential,” he said. “One in particular stood out—he plays with just two touches and already knows what to do before receiving the ball. That’s the kind of quality you look for.”

He, however, stressed that talent alone is not enough, emphasizing discipline, punctuality, and a strong work ethic as critical ingredients for success in modern football.

“Today, football is not just about skill; it’s about attitude. Coming late to training or lacking focus can cost a player his future,” he warned.

Addressing concerns about the exploitation of young African players, both the academy and its European partners condemned the activities of unregulated agents and middlemen, noting that stricter regulations now exist in countries like Belgium and Greece to protect players from being abandoned abroad.

Despite initial reservations influenced by negative perceptions for Nigeria abroad, Zakkas expressed satisfaction with his experience in Nigeria, praising both the organization of the tournament and the quality of the players.

“I saw a very good organization and a high level of technical ability among the players,” he said. “Talent is not only in big clubs; sometimes you find exceptional players in smaller setups like this.”

On his part, the Former Super Eagles player Ameachi Otti also commended the initiative, urging young players to secure proper management when pursuing opportunities in Europe.

He further described the Green Atlas project as a promising model capable of transforming grassroots football development in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja.

The tournament which will be climaxed today Saturday  featured eight teams, including Kinsley Soccer Football Academy, Golden Boys Football Club, NAF FC Feeder Team, FWC Champions FC, and three teams from Green Atlas Football Academy, highlighting the scale and competitiveness of the initiative.

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