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For the fifth edition of the Global Football Scouting Tournament, some top scouts across the world visited Nigeria.
Patrick Kempeneers, Head of Scouting Academy at KVC Westerlo, has revealed the driving force behind his team's presence in Nigeria - to search for the next generation of football stars.
Kempeneers, along with colleague Dario Antico, visited Nigeria for the fifth edition of the Global Football Scouting Tournament.
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The Lagos-based tournament serves as a vital platform for young Nigerian footballers to showcase their abilities to scouts representing renowned clubs from across the globe.
Westerlo scouting chief on talents in Nigeria
Kempeneers expressed considerable enthusiasm regarding the numerous talents he saw on display in Nigeria.
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"There's a lot of raw talent here. The players are technically gifted, physically strong, and have a great work ethic. We're excited to see what the future holds for Nigerian football," he stated.
This is the second time Kempeneers will visit Nigeria for the program, having also attended the previous year. He noted a marked improvement in the players' level of play.
"This is the second time I came to this program, last year and this year, and I am happy to see that the level is higher than last year's own; they are perfect to move to a high level," he commented.
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Kempeneers also highlighted the mental fortitude of the Nigerian players, attributing it to their ability to adapt to challenging conditions.
"The players here are mentally strong in different situations because they adapt quickly on difficult pitches, which is different from Europe, which can be an advantage for them. They believe in another culture; the weather, the food might not make them adapt easily in Europe," he explained.
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Among the standout performers at the tournament was Sixtus Elegalam, a promising midfielder from the winning team, Valiant.
Elegalam expressed his excitement at the opportunity to play in front of such a large contingent of scouts.
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"It was a dream come true to play in front of so many scouts. I'm hoping this is the first step towards fulfilling my dream of playing in Europe," he said.
Martin Baton, the tournament coordinator, stressed the program's success in providing opportunities for young players to develop and excel.
"The brain behind this project is to give the opportunity to young players for them to nurture themselves into the limelight. It doesn't end here because we keep track of the players," Baton confirmed.
He further explained the rationale behind using two different pitches during the tournament.
He said, "Using two different pitches is to help the players to give them the platform to adapt to different pitches and climate change."
This year's tournament featured 10 competing teams, with Valiant emerging champions.
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