Lagos City Cup: Barcelona and Atletic scouts pick 23 youngsters for life-changing trip to Europe

The recently concluded Lagos City Cup hosted by Ikorodu City in partnership with FC Barcelona and Atletic Sant Just is set to put smiles on the faces on some young Nigerians.

36 Lions champions emerged champions of the talent hunt competition after a gruellsome four-day battle with no fewer than 16 teams involved. 

The Lions were crowned champions at the end as reported by Pulse Sports Nigeria after a narrow 1-0 win over Prince Kazeem Eletu side who missed a penalty in added time. 

The Lagos City Cup was put together by Ikorodu City in partnership with El Dotado Sports and Lagos State Sports Commission backed by Barcelona, Atletic Sant Just and Spanish government.

After watching over 30 matches involving the teams in four days, the scouts led by Barcelona’s head of scouting for Africa, Moussa Kone, found some standout performers. 

The scouts selected 23 players across the teams with G12 the most dominant feature. 

Five players were picked from G12, Future Pro and finalists Prince Kazeem Eletu have four playersm apiece. 

The host club, Ikorodu City, champions of the competition, 36 Lions, and Middle Well all have two players each on the list. 

Speaking to Pulse Sports Nigeria after the tournament, convener, Sanmi Doherty, confirmed that the scouts are already talking to some European clubs in a bid to taking the players out of the country. 

“They are already talking to clubs as we speak,” Doherty told Pulse Sports. 

“Some (of the clubs are) in Spain, Holland, Belgium, but I want to believe that at the end of the year or before the year ends we are going to start taking them out - to take them out to Europe."

"We already have a good and cordial agreement with the Spanish government. So, they know what we are doing and are supporting us. So, we are taking them out of the shore to see where we can put them in Europe and see how they progress in their future.”