A football scout and players’ agent from the Czech Republic, Daniel Smejkal has praised what he believes is the rapidly growing quality of talent and trchnical ability being expressed by young Nigerians footballers.
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Although many Nigerian fans and analysts are still lamenting the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in Uyo, which further put the country’s 2026 World Cup qualification hopes in doubt, Smejkal pointed out that he always enjoys football when he visits the country.
He used matches of this year’s youth football scouting competition in Lagos, Jagaban Cup, as a reference point and told Sports247 emphatically that the youngsters that he has seen in action so far are exhibiting much improved performances than what he saw last year.
Smejkal disclosed, “This second experience is the same as my first experience, but I’ve been in Nigeria many times. About the quality of the players, maybe my feeling is that they are going higher and higher.
“I’ve seen improvements in some tactics, and everything is no longer like street football. It’s now technically guided football with the coaches and some experienced guys.”
The exuberant scout and youth football developer then disclosed that the last time he came for Jagaban Cup, he was able to spot four good players and linked them with top clubs in Europe, but he hopes to get more of such talents in this year’s ongoing edition.
“Last time here, we spoke about some players we would give contracts. Now I can talk about four of them that we took to Europe and we think more can go this year. The level is okay, really, and I’m enjoying my time here in Nigeria.
“It’s with a purpose of scouting for talented young players. My trip to Nigeria is always to enjoy good football and find some good players. I expect to get three or four more young players that will join the others in Europe,” Smejkal enthused.
