THREE members of the Premier League hopeful, COD United U-16 side, who represented Nigeria at the 2012 Iber Cup in Portugal, have been awarded scholarships by the l club.
Captain Nansel Selbol, Ismaila Podoh and Tunde Akinsemoye have all been enrolled at Bishop Howells Grammar School, Bariga, with the cost being bankrolled by the club.
The players have also been promoted to COD United first team and will participate in the club’s challenge for honours next season in the Nigerian National League (NNL), as well as other competitions.
With this, they will officially become the youngest footballers in Nigerian League, as they are only 16 years old. Chief executive of the club, Shola Opaleye, said the award was in line with the club’s stated policy to ensure that its footballers are afforded the best opportunities on and off the pitch.
“We have always said that our mission is to ensure that our footballers grow up to not just be better footballers but more importantly, better men,” he stated.
“Awarding them a scholarship is a step in that direction and we are hopeful that they’ll make the best use of this opportunity. The three players have also signed professional contracts with us.
“They’ll be the youngest players in the Nigerian National League when it kicks off next month as they are all 16 years old. They are still in senior secondary school, so their ages are not even in question.”
For skipper Nansel, it was a commendable effort by the management of the club. He said: “Since I joined COD United, I have been afforded unbelievable opportunities. I went on a training trip to Bolton, then led the team to Portugal and now I have been awarded a scholarship.”
Source: Guardian
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