Joel Ajayi
Belgium-born Greek international, Theodoros Zakkas, alongside former Super Eagles defender Ameachi Otti, has endorsed the vision of Green Atlas Football Academy as it intensifies efforts to create global pathways for young football talents in Nigeria.
A major highlight of the tournament was the presence of Belgium-born Greek international, Zakkas, former Super Eagles defender Otti amongst other scouting experts whose experience in player development and European football networks added technical depth to the exercise.
Speaking during a media parley on Friday in Abuja Zakkas, expressed the players demonstrated the level of intelligence and awareness required to succeed at higher levels.
“I saw three or four players with big potential,” he said. “One in particular stood out he plays with just two touches and already knows what to do before receiving the ball. That’s the kind of quality you look for.”
He, however, emphasized that talent alone is not enough, stressing discipline, punctuality, and the right attitude as essential qualities in modern football.
“Today, football is not just about skill; it’s about attitude. Coming late to training or lacking focus can cost a player his future,” he warned.
When asked about scenario of many academies in the past who fun of taking Nigeria player abroad and dump them? Zakkas noted that stricter regulations in countries like Belgium and Greece now help protect players from being abandoned after moving abroad.
Despite initial reservations influenced by negative perceptions of Nigeria abroad, Zakkas expressed satisfaction with his experience in Nigeria, praising both the organization of the tournament and the quality of players.
“I saw a very good organization and a high level of technical ability among the players,” he said. “Talent is not only in big clubs; sometimes you find exceptional players in smaller setups like this.”
On his own, Backing the initiative, former Ranger International Otti commended the progress of the scouting tournament and advised young players to secure proper management before seeking opportunities in Europe, emphasizing the importance of professionalism in career decisions.
He further described the Green Atlas project as a promising model capable of transforming grassroots football development in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja.
On his own, the Chairman of Atlas Green Sports Academy, Tayo Moses Adebisi, reaffirmed the academy’s commitment to not only discovering talents but also guiding, protecting, and positioning them for sustainable careers in world football.
According to him, the initiative goes beyond building a football club, focusing instead on a structured system that nurtures players and connects them to opportunities across Europe, Asia, the United States, and other competitive leagues.
“We are not just building a club; we are building a system that helps young players realise their full potential,” Adebisi said. “Nigeria is blessed with abundant football talent, but what many of these players need is the right platform and guidance.”
As part of this vision, Green Atlas recently organized a youth scouting tournament featuring Under-17, Under-18, and Under-19 players. From an initial pool of about 100 academy players, 45 were selected to compete alongside invited teams, creating a platform for them to showcase their abilities before scouts and technical experts.
The tournament featured eight teams, including Kinsley Soccer Football Academy, Golden Boys Football Club, NAF FC Feeder Team, FWC Champions FC, and three teams from Green Atlas Football Academy, highlighting the scale and competitiveness of the initiative.
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