By Raymond Nwaduba
African Football Holding, owners of Grassrunners FC and African Football Holding FC is set to host one of the most prestigious football scouting tournaments in Nigeria from November 15 to 20 at Ikenne, Remo, Ogun State, in Southwest Nigeria.
The high-profile event will bring together top club directors, scouts, and agents from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, creating a unique platform for talented young Nigerian footballers to showcase their skills and launch their professional careers abroad.
Leading the international delegation is Sascha Werner Empacher, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of SPOCS and African Football Holding.
Among the distinguished guests expected are:
Giovambattista Martino (Shakhtar Donetsk),
Carlos Aalbers, Director of Players and Transfers (NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands), Tufan Das and Jahid Asgarov (Neftçi PFK, Azerbaijan),
Vincent van Raam, Head of Recruitment (Charlotte FC, MLS) and
Sergio Neveleff, Global Scout (New England Revolution, MLS).
Others are; Björn Ganser (Górnik Zabrze, Poland),
Johannes and Marcus Noack (MN Germany),
Jamie Rietiker-Wright (Göztepe SK/Southampton, Sport Republic Group ), Frank Rybak (Germany) and
Jordi van der Starren (Germany).
Also to be part of the event are; Martin Pfeifer (Austria), Bastian Sistemich and Kai Noltemeyer (Germany SPOCS), Bennard Kumordzi (KRC Genk, Belgium) and Seyi Olofinjana (Chelsea FC)
More international representatives are expected to confirm their attendance, with at least 17 top directors, scouts, and agents set to participate in the tournament.
Speaking ahead of the event, Grassrunners FC CEO, Gbenga Agbejoye, expressed great optimism about this year’s edition:
“We are fully ready to host another memorable scouting tournament,” he said.
“Our tournaments have continued to grow bigger and better each year, and this year will be no exception. Only the best among the best teams will feature. It promises to be a spectacular showcase of grassroots football — truly, the best of Nigerian talent on display.”
The African Football Holding Scouting Tournament continues to establish itself as a beacon of opportunity for aspiring young footballers, connecting raw Nigerian talent with global football networks and professional pathways.
