Angela Uche, Owerri
All is set for the commencement of the under 19 Game-on Africa Tournament (GOAT) to select young football talents from Nigeria and Ghana.
A non governmental organization, Game-On Afirka Limited disclosed plans to organize the U-19 football tournament between Nigeria and Ghana as part of their commitments to promote budding talents to greater opportunities in football.
The tournament will commence Saturday 4th October 2025 for Nigeria while that of Ghana starts on Tuesday 7th October, 2025.
Chief Executive Officer of Game-On Afirka Limited, Prince Emeka Nwankwo, made the disclosure at a press conference in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Nwankwo, who hails from Imo State but based in the United Kingdom said the tournament sponsored by Afreximbank will hold in four zonal centres in Nigeria and can be accessed through their website, www.gameonafrika.com.
According to him, the centres are Imo, Enugu, Lagos, and Abuja, saying teams from all over Nigeria can register to participate in any centre close to them.
He disclosed that the registration was ongoing but will end on Tuesday 30th September in Nigeria while that of Ghana ends on Thursday 2nd October adding that the winning team will go home with ₦1million while the second team will win ₦500,000.
While he lamented that insecurity had affected youths and infrastructure in Nigeria, he said sports was an avenue to keep youths busy and for greater heights..
Nwankwo said “the major aim of the tournament is create youth empowerment programme and a kind of youth sports exchange with Ghana.
“The winner between Nigeria and Ghana will get the opportunity to play friendly matches with our partner, Fendford Football Club who on their part have partnership with West ham Football Club. We all know what that exposure will do for their football careers, it offers them opportunity to be seen as football scout agents”, he said.
The Project Manager, Jenny Anusiem said the tournament is designed to create opportunities for under aged footballers within both countries by exposing their skills and potentials.
Anusiem who doubles as the CEO of Imo Angels FC, Owerri said the registration fee is ₦50,000 per club in Nigeria while Ghana registration is 1000cfa, adding that the winner goes home with 5000cfa, second place 3000cfa, while Nigerian team winner takes home 1m and second place 500K.
She said the winning team out of the two countries will have the opportunity to be flown to United Kingdom, UK by next year, to play with the continent’s best U-19 teams and be more exposed to international scouts.
“It’s a great opportunity for both countries youths under the vision of Africa Exchange, that’s Nigeria and Ghana, thus it’s necessary for each of the country to select their best budding talents” Anusiem said.
Felix Nwosu, the Rangers International FC, Enugu, U-19 coach and the tournament coordinator in Enugu State, assured that the tournament will be supervised professionally to ensure compliance for age determination and transparency.
He disclosed that the organizers will use NIN registration, international passport, birth certificate or church baptisimal card of each player as parts of the age identification requirements.
On his part, the Imo State Coordinator, Neville Okere, said the essence of the tournament is to create great opportunities for young footballers to excel both nationally and internationally.
