Group Plan To Discover Africa next football stars

The Game On Afrika Tournament is seeking to discover and nurture Africa’s next generation of football stars through a groundbreaking U-19 competition that will bring Nigeria and Ghana into a direct footballing contest.

Organisers of the tournament, powered by Afreximbank, unveiled sweeping plans for the competition designed as a pathway to global exposure for aspiring young talents.

Details of the project were made public at a well-attended press conference on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, held at Muna Suites, Owerri, where officials outlined the format, prizes, and international opportunities awaiting participants.

According to Project Director Jennifer Anusiem, the competition will begin in Nigeria on October 4, with registration closing on September 30, while in Ghana, registration ends on October 2 ahead of the official kick-off on October 7.

Matches will run across four states in Nigeria—Imo, Enugu, Lagos, and Abuja—and four regions in Ghana—Greater Accra, Oti, Central, and Ashanti.

“Registered clubs will compete at their centres, with each state or region producing a champion,” Anusiem explained.

“In Nigeria, state winners will receive N1 million and qualify for the national finals in Enugu. The national champion will then face Ghana’s winner in a two-legged final to determine the overall GOAT champion.”

She further revealed that regional champions in Ghana would each receive N5,000, while the ultimate winner between Nigeria and Ghana would embark on a youth football tour of London. Plans are in place for the continental champions to play against selected English youth sides, with hopes of arranging a fixture against West Ham United’s U-19 team.

“This project is about creating genuine opportunities,” Anusiem, who also doubles as CEO of Imo Angels FC, said. “Scouts will be on ground to identify the best talents, and the champions will gain international exposure in England.”

For the Chief Executive Officer of the tournament, Nnaemeka Nwankwo, the project is deeply personal.

“I once lost the chance to sign for Leeds United because of my age. At 32, I was no longer eligible when they needed a younger goalkeeper,” he recalled.

“That disappointment inspired me to create pathways for younger players, ensuring they do not suffer the same fate. This tournament is about catching them young and opening doors I never had.”

Nwankwo added that through GOAT’s partnership with Frenford FC in the UK, which also collaborates with West Ham United, participants will have access to scouts from leading English clubs. He stressed that passports, visas, and travel expenses for the winners will be fully funded by the organisers.

“We want to connect tribes through football and give back to society,” he said.

At the unveiling, Imo Centre Coordinator Neville Okere highlighted the wider significance of the project, noting that with the Nigerian league now shifting its focus to younger players, GOAT provides a rare opportunity to expose winners to international football cultures. He added that even those who do not reach the national playoffs will be recommended to clubs.

Similarly, Enugu Centre Coordinator Felix Nwosu assured that deliberate mechanisms have been put in place to curb age fraud, ensuring only genuine U-19 players are given the chance to participate.

Organisers reiterated that registration remains ongoing through the official website, www.gameonafrika.com, with fees set at N50,000 for Nigerian clubs and N1,000 for Ghanaian teams.