Hajji Gafar Liameed, the host of the Jagaban Cup, expressed his belief that the tournament, which commenced on Monday at the Legacy Pitch, will reveal future football stars.
After witnessing the four matches on the tournament’s opening day, Gafar shared his enthusiasm about the performances.
“I believe we will discover new talent. The youthful energy, the fluidity of play, and the fast-paced action were impressive. I noticed scouts in the audience, actively engaged and taking notes. During the break, several foreign scouts approached me with inquiries about at least six players.”
He remarked that it is encouraging to see these participants potentially selected, especially as the tournament progresses into the second and final days.
He expressed his aspiration for the tournament to grow, envisioning the inclusion of clubs from various regions across the country.
“While we may see future expansion, for now, my focus is on Lagos and the Southwest. That’s why we have four teams from the Southwest and four from Lagos. We will continue this way and assess how it develops. If expansion is feasible, we will pursue it.” He also discussed the tournament’s future and its long-term viability.
“This tournament is designed to endure. As I eventually pass the responsibility to my son or the younger generation, the Jagaban Cup should persist. The founders of clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea are no longer with us. Similarly, when the founders of the Jagaban Cup move on, the tournament will continue to thrive.”
The opening day featured four matches showcasing remarkable performances and exciting goals, a result Gafar attributes to intentional scouting efforts.
“I personally visited the training grounds of each team selected to participate. I evaluated their training regimens and assessed the strengths of each club, player by player, and IQ by IQ. My experiences in Europe observing U17, U19, and U21 matches have informed me of the current demands. Therefore, to be invited to the Jagaban Cup, a player must meet specific criteria.”
“We established that players showcased here should have a minimum of 2,500 minutes of playtime. This equates to approximately 25 to 30 weeks of competitive football, which is evident in the performances you witnessed today.”
