By Akinwale Kasali
According to statistics by World Football Governing Body, Federation International Football Association, FIFA, after Brazil, Nigeria is the second exporter of footballers to other parts of the world.
This, however, came to being following the influx of Football Academies and Scouts in the most populous Black nation of the World, who secure Clubs outside the shores of the country to football talents, either in Europe or obscure league around the World.
Sadly, the primary motive of some of these Agents and Scouts is to make their own fair share of the money from the proceed of the deal, not minding the future of the young Players.
Some of these Agents and Scouts rip off the players due to their vulnerability and desperation, with some of them signing slave contracts, while some are at the mercy of the Agents/Scouts who take the biggest share of the proceed with the Players themselves doing the rigorous work taking Peanuts.
In this vein, Spain based former Footballer turned Coach and businessman, Azubuike Hyacinth, frowns at the anomalies, pointing out that some Ex-Internationals who have become Football Academy owners, Agents and Scouts are also part of this awkwardness.
He said that these Ex-Internationals who take advantage of younger Players, ripping them off, see this absurd attitude as a way of life, whereas, during their playing days, they never experienced such.
Azubuike Hyacinth may not be a household name in the nation’s round leather game, but the Ex-Footballer
is the Coach of the All Star Football Team in Lagos State, comprising of Ex-Internationals who are presently unattached.
The likes of former Super Eagles Player, Haruna Lukman, Ugonna Ugochukwu, Dele Oshobe, Azeez Shobowale and others are part of the team.
Born, bred and grew up in Oshodi, Lagos State, Azubuike’s passion for the round leather game knew no bounds.
Having started his football journey with Abuede Babes Football Club in Oshodi under Coach Joseph Kadiri, he shined brightly alongside popular Nigeria born footballer who played for the Valencia Football Club of Spain, Spain Under-17 and Under-20 team and also got an invitation to the Super Eagles team, Sunday Stephen.
Azubuike’s breakthrough however came in 2003 when he was invited alongside Sunday Stephen to Princess Bola Jegede team, and made the team that travelled to Spain for the Costablanca Tournament in Valencia, Spain.
He won the tournament in Spain , defeating Lionel Messi led Barcelona Under-16 team to lift the trophy.
After the tournament, he returned to Nigeria, awaiting prospective clients from Spain to secure a deal.
Fortunately for him, he travelled back to Spain courtesy of his Agents Eric Mita and Jose Abata, and went for a trial with St. Pauli in the German Bundesliga.
He failed to secure a deal with the German Clubside because he was an immigrant who is yet to secure his Papers.
Azubuike became a key figure in the Immigrant tournament in Spain called the ‘Mundialito Tournament’, in which his Nigerian side won three consecutive time.
This however led to him to securing a Club with Albos Energies Football Club in Almeria in the lower division. His feat with the Almeria based Clubside saw him join Pedioneras Football Club in Spain Second Division.
Bent on his exploit and tasting other leagues in Europe, he moved to the Scandinavian, joining Valgenaharad Football Club in Stockholm, Sweden.
He, however, joined the Super Eagles team under Coach Berti Vogts during the preparation for the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana at the Malaga, Spain training Camp.
He never made the team to the Continental showpiece, though his friends, Ayodele Stephen Makinwa and Former Steaua Bucharesti football Club of Romania defender, Ifeanyi Emeghara made the team.
Seeing that age wasn’t on his side, and series of injuries was setting in, he diversified, delving into other businesses that would sustain him and his future.
“Football paved way for me and gave me a Platform, but I had to call it quit when. It mattered most and look for another source of Income.
“I got a job and started working in Spain and moved ahead in life. I was able to get the necessary documents, which has enabled me be where I am today. I can speak Spanish fluently, got the necessary education and started business of my own”.
Azubuike revealed that the All Star Team started less than five months ago, and the discipline and commitment shown by the Ex-Internationals is applausive and has prompted him to do more.
He added that the Players knew they need to be in good shape and fit in their quest to secure deals outside the shores of Nigeria which is the major reason why the Team can Into existence.
When asked if he wasnt intimidated by the status of the Players who have plied their trade in Europe, he said respect is reciprocal and the trust and confidence Reposed In him by the players spurred him to do more, and his joy is to see positive changes in their life and lifestyles.
He however advised younger Players not to be too desperate in making it to Europe or outside the shores of the country, as this is the reason why Agents and Scouts capitalize on this to rip them off.
“I have always dreamt of helping younger Players in different capacity as a Mentor, but it saddens me when you see this younger Players drinking and smoking excessively, relying on drugs to perform, failing to use their natural strength. There is no way a player would grow doing all this illicit acts”, Azubuike concluded.
