In a significant milestone for the Prosperity Cup, two talented products of the tournament, Abidei Precious and Jacob Prince from Advanced Team Football Academy, have been invited for trials with the Aliyu Zubairu led U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, in Abuja. This development is a testament to the tournament’s commitment to nurturing and showcasing young football talent.
According to a statement signed by Mr. Ono Akpe, Director General of the Prosperity Cup, on behalf of the Central Organizing Committee (COC), the duo’s outstanding performance in the tournament caught the attention of key football officials, including the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, and NFF Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen. Their impressive display earned them a call-up to the national team trial, a remarkable achievement for the young players.
The Prosperity Cup organizers have generously provided resources to facilitate the players’ trip to Abuja for the trial, underscoring their commitment to supporting emerging talent. Moreover, Mr. Akpe revealed that five female players from the Prosperity Cup have also been selected for the trial, with their names to be announced upon arrival in Abuja.
The Director General expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, coaches, and national team coaches for their support, highlighting the tournament’s potential to expose more Bayelsa youths to the world. He also welcomed teams participating in the Bayelsa Pre-season Football Tournament in Yenagoa, commending the Ministry of Sports Development for sustaining the initiative.
Appreciation was extended to Governor Senator Douye Diri, Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, for their invaluable contributions to sports development in the state. Mr. Akpe emphasized the Prosperity Cup’s dream to see more players excel globally, thanking the NFF President and Technical Director for their immense support.
This achievement marks a significant step forward for the Prosperity Cup, solidifying its reputation as a platform for discovering and nurturing young football talent. As the tournament continues to produce talented players, it is poised to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of Nigerian football.
In related news, a high-powered team of international scouts is set to visit Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for a 3-day international scouting program in September, further highlighting the state’s growing importance in Nigerian football. This program, part of the Governor Douye Diri International Scouting Tournament, aims to identify and develop young talents in the state, with potential opportunities for players to trial in Europe and other international destinations ¹.
