Football
Babatunde Akomolede Tops List of Sporting Lagos Academy Stars Wanted by European Clubs
Sporting Lagos' academy star Babatunde Akomolede tops the list of players wanted by European clubs after a stellar performance at the 2024 Gothia Cup.
Image Credits: Score Nigeria
Sporting Lagos, one of the few privately owned football clubs in Nigeria, has garnered significant attention following the success of its academy at the 2024 Gothia Cup in Sweden.
This remarkable achievement in Gothenburg comes despite the club's senior team experiencing relegation from the elite division in their debut season a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, much like the fluctuating odds in sports betting, where underdogs often defy expectations.
Rapid Ascent and Future Promise for Sporting Lagos
Founded in 2022, Sporting Lagos quickly ascended to the top-flight but faced a setback with relegation.
However, the club’s future looks promising, thanks to its thriving academy, which boasts some of the finest young talents in Nigerian football.
In their first appearance at the Gothia Cup, Sporting Lagos’ U17 team clinched the prestigious trophy by defeating Japan's FC Tokyo 4-0 in the final.
The team’s impeccable performance saw them win every match, keep six clean sheets, and score fifteen goals while conceding only four.
Image Credit: Pulse Sports Nigeria
Rising Stars Attract European Interest
Notably, five standout players from the tournament are now attracting interest from top European clubs.
Babatunde Akomolede, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, has drawn attention from Premier League clubs Everton and Aston Villa.
Swedish clubs Hammarby IF and Tromso, along with Belgian side Anderlecht and other Dutch teams Feyenoord and Ajax, are also reportedly in the race for his signature.
Akomolede, a versatile full-back, contributed four assists and scored a goal in the final.
Sporting Lagos Official Comment
"It's normal that clubs in Europe want to sign him after such performance. We have received calls from these teams, and negotiations will start soon," said a Sporting Lagos official in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com.
Other notable players attracting European interest include attacker Yusuf Abdullahi, who scored in the final, and John Lucky.
"At least five of them have good offers on the table. Our goal is to see them progress and play at the top level.”
"The club will issue a statement at the appropriate time regarding these developments," the official added.
The Sporting Lagos project aims to elevate players to top European teams, emulating the success of rivals Beyond Limits, who have seen talents like Ebenezer Akinsanmiro move to Inter Milan and Shina Ayodele to French side Lille.
Sporting Lagos’ success at the Gothia Cup marks a significant milestone for the club and highlights the potential of Nigerian football talent on the global stage.
Seyi Alao is a Nigerian sports reporter, writer, and producer, known for delivering engaging sports content in both English and Pidgin. At Brila FM, I transitioned seamlessly into the role of Content Creator, demonstrating a deep understanding of media dynamics and effectively crafting captivating and informative narratives.