Anti-climax for the world cup winning team of the 2007 batch of Nigeria's Golden Eaglets.


After thrilling the world with his superior tactics and advanced knowledge of youth football, Yomi Tella, the coach of Nigeria's victorious U-17 world cup team in the just ended Korea 2007 world cup has died at the Lagos state University Teaching Hospital ( LUTH ) in Nigeria. Yomi Tella passed on at exactly 8 am on Saturday, 20th October, 2007. Tella died of lung cancer and was hospitalized as soon as the Eaglets returned from Korea. He was checked into the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, and couldn't be flown to Germany for medical treatment as planned, due to his detoriating health which could have put him in further stress and danger.


An official statement by the LUTH Public Relations Officer, Babajide Grillo in Nigeria stated that:

The hospital, after consulting with the family of Coach Yemi Tella, do hereby confirm the demise of the coach in the early hours of today (yesterday). The hospital, with the full cooperation of the government provided all professionals and medically required management to attend to this illustrious son. We are however, consoled by the fact that he died leaving a legacy of achievement and patriotism to the fatherland. May his soul rest in peace.

During his sickness, Yomi Tella received good support from the Nigerian government, and was called on phone by the current President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Musa Yar'Adua, while he was on his sick bed. However, the brave coach gave in after fighting so hard against the deadly cancer ailment.


Burial arrangements for the late world cup winning coach will soon be announced.

As reported previously, Joseph Epton, the Scouting Team representative for Ghana has travelled to Nigeria on the 29th of June for a Scouting Tour and will stay for at least 2 weeks. Joseph Epton has travelled to Lagos to visit Scouting Team Partner Nigeria and President of the Nigeria Association of Football Academies, Francis Akinremi, to study and analyse the local football market and to discover exceptional football talents.


Joseph Epton and Francis Akinremi decided to invite outstanding and exceptional young talents in the region of Lagos to take part in the trial. the date of the screening and trial will be publish shortly.


Young talents in the age groups 17-20 and 21-23 are welcomed to contact Joseph Epton direct in Lagos by calling 07037947843 or sending an email to josephepton@scoutingteam.com


Francis and Joseph are looking for football players who have already played high-level football or believe that they have the special extra skill that is successful to become a successful football professional.


The trial will be held under the supervision of Joseph Epton, Francis Akinremi and other technical staff from FAK-REM Football Academy. The best players will be filtered and invited for a final trial at FAK-REM Football Academy/Club.


Scouting Team will observe the football trialists, organize football matches and produce video material for analysing and later presentation to football clubs world wide.

Manifesto paper presented by AKINREMI A. FRANCIS (JP) For the of president Nigeria Association of Football Academies (NAFA) on 12th June, 2007.


Today marks another milestone in the history of Football in Nigeria. It is a thing of joy that our dreams of creating an environment where football Academy owners, coaches, sports administrators and sports lovers interact to rub minds on how football academies can be effectively administered through the amiable leadership that will run the affairs of football academies in Nigeria setting.


The introduction of the football academies into the Nigeria soccer scene was expected to provide the dedrock of reservoir of quality Nigerian players for clubs sides at home and abroad as well as the national teams.


The need to have a sound system of football academies in Nigeria which will ensure that the transformation of young and gifted players into professional players at the club sides and National teams is smooth and fraught with little friction is utmost importance.


Through football academy, the fact remains that young boys and girls will be encourage to utilize their abundant energy and talents into productive ventures products them and the society from a life of crime and lawlessness.


I will see to the growth and development of the association both at Local, National and international levels respectively.


To also determine the impact I will also provide free temporary office for the association and free secretarial services in the stadium


I will also see to how coaches can be gainfully employed by the private and public sports sectors respectively.


During my tenure, many age category tournaments will be well organized both local and national levels.


I will also link the Association with international relevant sports bodies for sponsorships, scholarships and conferences for both The Academy Owners, Coaches and the players in general.


In summary, education and welfare packages for all the stakeholders shall be my priority with child protection to avoid child trafficking in Nigeria.


Finally, I want to seize this golden opportunity to canvass for the support of the stakeholders in football Academy to work as a team to make this Association a huge success now and in the future.


Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I want to give thanks to the caretaker committee for their effective job to this far, with the cooperation of every one. We hope to contribute our quota towards the orderly development of Football Academies in Nigeria as I say,


UP NAFA
(breeding soccer talents)


Sports regards,

AKINREMI A. FRANCIS (JP)

Africa wins Seconds Position as the Pre-U17 World cup tournament ends in Korea.


The Pre-u17 World Cup Tournament in South Korea ended over the weekend with the final match between African Champions, Nigeria and Brazil extending to penalty shootout, after a pulsating 2-2 draw played by both sides after regular time failed to produce a winner.
The Brazilians were luckier during the spot kicks and carried the day.


Both Brazil and Nigeria qualified for the Final by topping their respective groups, with Brazil getting seven points from three matches after winning two and drawing one, while Nigeria claimed all the nine points at stake in their group, winning their first two matches with the same 2-1 scoreline before demolishing Japan 5-0 in the final group encounter.


The Nigerian team, who before the Final Match, seemed not to have any weakness in all departments in the team and in all aspects of their game, now need to work on their penalty shoot out skills before the World Cup commences in August this year, so as to ensure that if found in similar position during the global event, the Eaglets will make Africa proud.


Africa's second representatives in the U17 World Cup and also in the Pre-U17 World Cup Tournament, Ghana also put up a very gallant performance, losing only match to the host country, South korea,but unfortunately not being able to qualify as a result of that singular loss in a firecely competitive group.

The Black Starlets will definitely perform better when the proper World Cup Commences.

After his successful election on Saturday, 16th of June, 2007, Scouting Team representative in Nigeria, Dr. Francis A. Akinremi has been confirmed as the first National President of The Nigerian Association of Football Academies ( NAFA ).


The confirmation took place at the Conference Hall of The National Institute For Sports in Nigeria, which is situated inside the territiory around the West African country's National Stadium in Surulere township, the sports nerve-centre of Lagos State, Nigeria.


Francis(pictured centre) was confirmed along with 11 members of the entire 12-member Executive Council, which comprised 10 males and female member, Mrs. Etim Joy Nnenna, who is the Welfare Officer of the association. The twelfth member will be selected as the zone from which the 2nd Vice-President is to emerge from is yet to present its preferred candidate.
The full list of the Executive Council members include:


1. President

Dr Akinremi A Francis [JP]


2. 1st Vice President
Mr Onwanna Kevin


3. 2nd Vice President

Yet to be produced. This position is zoned to the Northern part of Nigeria. This region will present the association with an elected representative soon.


4. Secretary-General
Mr Etim Micheal Edet


5. Assistance Secretary-General

Mr Arinde Jimoh


6. Treasurer
Mr.Obeta Basil


7. Welfare

Mrs Etim Joy Nnenna


8. Technical Director
Mr Solomon Adesina Peter


9. Public Relation Officer

Mr Banjo Kamiludeen Oladimeji


10. Financial Secretary
Mr Udoh Saturday Okon


11. Auditor

Mr Alebiosu Samuel


12. Provost
Mr Ohiri Ephraim


The Executive Council members cut across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, and they will serve an initial single term of two years each.

Prior to the election, the potential contestants and nominees for the post of the President were informed about the high standards which the association had set for its presidential aspirants. The contestants must be:


1. A professional Sports Manager with a proven track record in sports management.
2. A football academy owner with a known and existing football academy.

3. A professional Coach with a registered football academy in Nigeria.
4. An existing financial member of NAFA and must have fulfilled his or her financial obligations not later than 3 months before the election.


Francis Akinremi met all the above mentioned requirements and futher distinguished himself with his other feats which he had achieved in addition. These included very high professional qualifications, better level of international sports exposure, distinct leadership qualities, a clear cut agenda for youth development programmes and emphasis on intensifying youth programme research work.

The performance of FAK-REM Football Academy, owned by Mr. Francis, was also a bonus which boosted his chances, as he had proved to be efficient in academy management in the past and present. FAK-REM have represented Nigeria in some international competitions and also were winners of the Dothan Cup in Scotland, United Kingdom.


Francis has promised to move NAFA forward with great speed and efficiency so as to build a solid foundation on which the fledging association will stand on to grow as rapidly as expected in the Nigerian soccer arena.
With the able support of Scouting Team, such goals can be facilitated and better achieved with a unique touch of excellence and hard work.


The picture below shows members of The Executive Council. From left: Basil [Treasurer], Ohiri [Provost], Udon [Fin.Sec.], Mrs Etim Joy [Welfare], Akinremi [President], Etim Micheal [Sec. Gen], Banjo [PRO], Arinde [Asst.Sec.Gen], Solomon [Tech.Director] and Alebiosu [Auditor].