Rapture F.C. Academy to send 11 players for trials in Europe BY GODWIN SAM

Rapture Football  Academy has had an agreement with two talent scouts to take eleven of their players for trials in European clubs.

The president of the Academy, Mr. Johnson Barby revealed this to newsmen in Uyo when he introduced the scouts to the media men. One of the scouts is Furo Iyenemi, an ex-defender of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, and the proprietor of Furo Football Academy based in Port Harcourt.

In a chart with the media, Furo Iyenemi had this to say, “I’ve played Europe, France, Belgium, Greece and at a point, I decided to quit and went for a coaching course to be trained as a trainer in Hotland. I have my coaching certificate. I came home to establish a Football Academy in Port Harcourt to help the young ones to benefit from their talent”.

He said that he came to the Rapture F.C. Academy to scout for players whom he will take back to Europe for trials in European clubs and expressed optimism that the players he has selected will not let the Rapture F.C. Academy down as they had displayed so much skill, strength and dexterity in the field of play.

According to him “with the skills, strength and dexterity they display, a little coaching, exposure and match fitness exercises will make them ready to play with the big names. I played with so many clubs and I have contacts and good relationships with these clubs, with these I have my way of introducing these players to the clubs and with the confidence and trust these clubs have in me they will be ready to take these players on my recommendation”.

He however said that the challenge most African players, especially Nigerian players, have is that the national team would hardly invite them except they play outside the country, preferably Europe, and at the same time some clubs in Europe may not accept them except they play for their National team. So this poses a major problem to upcoming players hence the need for players aspiring to make a career out of football to always try their luck and prowess outside the shores of Nigeria. “I have made so much from football and it is now my time to give back to the society, that is why I am now scouting for talent from all over Nigeria to also give them an opportunity to show the world what they have. J. J. Okocha was good, likewise Kanu, Enyeama, Emenike and the rest, but I know that there are a thousand others who can do better than these ones who have not been discovered. That is why I’m doing what I’m doing,” he said.
Another FIFA Football Agent, Mr. Jolly Okey who also came on a scouting trip to the Academy said he has seen six players with great potentials and would like to take them with him once their papers are put in order, so that they too can have an opportunity to play in Europe.

One of the directors in the Academy, Dr. Sammy Etuk said that he is impressed with the performance of the players and expressed his optimism that many of them will sign clubs in Europe before June this year.