Former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins has tipped outstanding players from the maiden Italian Consulate General U-20 Cup in Lagos for careers in Serie A, promising to use his connections to link the best talents with top clubs across Europe.
Martins, who scored 18 goals in 42 appearances for Nigeria and featured at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa during a career that took him to Inter Milan, Newcastle United, Birmingham City and clubs across the United States, Spain, Germany, Russia and China, served as an ambassador for the tournament alongside fellow former Super Eagles midfielder Christian Obodo.
“I am very impressed by their display. They have really shown me they have the skills to compete, and I think when they go to Italy, they can fight for their chances in Serie A,” he told our correspondent.
The six-day competition, which ran from June 2-7 at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium in Onikan, Lagos, was organised by the Italian Consulate General in Lagos as a platform for youth talent identification and cultural exchange between Nigeria and Italy. Eight teams participated, including Okaka FC, Plateau United, Bendel Insurance and 36 Lions FC.
Tournament organiser Emmanuel Omijeh said the response exceeded expectations in terms of the quality of players identified, revealing that the process of narrowing down the final group of prospects for a trip to Italy was already proving difficult.
