Ado Salisu
Grassroots footballers across Nigeria have been urged to uphold discipline and demonstrate good conduct as they strive for greater opportunities in the sport.
The call was made by Wale Joseph, Coordinator of the Jagaban Cup, following the successful conclusion of a scouting tournament held in Lagos on Sunday.
The competition, organised by 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports Management, and the Lagos State Football Association, brought together emerging talents from across the country in a bid to discover and nurture future stars.
Assessing the tournament, Joseph described it as one of the best scouting competitions in Nigeria, noting that many of the participants exhibited the qualities required to succeed in professional football.
According to him, beyond talent, players must possess strong character and discipline to excel.
“I assess their fighting spirit, character, speed, and technique. The players have the fundamentals and the mindset to thrive. However, attitude remains key. A player may be highly skilled, but without the right attitude, it will be difficult to succeed,” he said.
The four-day tournament, held at the National Stadium Surulere Legacy Pitch, featured intense competition among participating teams.
In the final match, Broad City edged surprise finalists Klassisch 1-0 to emerge champions of the tournament.
FC Bethel secured third place after defeating Ikorodu City 4-2 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The event is widely regarded as a platform for identifying young talents and providing them with opportunities to advance their football careers.