Owerri was agog on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, as organisers of the Game On Afrika Tournament (GOAT) unveiled detailed plans for a groundbreaking youth football competition during a press conference held at Muna Suites.
The tournament, powered by Afreximbank, is designed to discover and nurture budding football talents under the age of 19 across Nigeria and Ghana.
The competition will kick off in Nigeria on October 4th after registration closes on September 30th, while in Ghana, registration will end on October 2nd, ahead of the main kick-off on October 7th.
According to the Project Director, Jennifer Anusiem, the tournament will run across four states in Nigeria—Imo, Enugu, Lagos, and Abuja—and four regions in Ghana—Greater Accra, Oti, Central, and Ashanti.
She said: “Registered clubs will compete in their centres, with each state or region producing a champion. In Nigeria, winners from each state will receive ₦1 million and qualify for the national finals in Enugu. The national champion will then face Ghana’s champion in a two-legged final to determine the overall GOAT winner.”
Anusiem who is also the CEO Imo Angels FC revealed that winners from Ghana would receive ₵5,000, while the winner between Nigerian and Ghanaian champions will later travel to London for a youth football tour.
“We are committed to creating genuine opportunities for these players. Scouts will be on ground to spot the best talents, while the eventual winner between Nigeria and Ghana champion will have the opportunity to travel to England to face some selected local teams in the public glare of foreign scouts. We are also hoping to arrange a game with West Ham United U-19 team in London, too” she added.
Chief Executive Officer of the Tournament, Prince Nnaemeka Nwankwo, shared a personal story that inspired the creation of the project:
“I once lost a golden opportunity to sign with Leeds United because of my age. I was 32 when they were looking for a younger goalkeeper. That experience marked the end of my career, and I vowed to create pathways for young players not to suffer the same fate. This tournament is about catching them young and giving them opportunities I never had.”
He further explained that through the tournament’s partnership with Frenford FC in the UK, which also partners West Ham United, players will have access to top-level exposure.
“We will bankroll passports, visas, and travel costs for the winners. Beyond West Ham, other London clubs will be present to scout. The dream is to connect tribes through football and give back to society,” he stressed.
At the press conference, Imo Centre Coordinator, Neville Okere, highlighted the broader benefits of the project:
“With the Nigerian league now tilting towards young players, this tournament provides a rare chance to expose our winners to international football cultures in the UK. Even those who don’t reach the national playoffs will be recommended to clubs.”
Also, Enugu Centre Coordinator, Felix Nwosu, assured that deliberate measures have been put in place to curb age cheating and ensure only genuine U-19 players are discovered.
The organisers reiterated that registration is ongoing via the official website, www.gameonafrika.com, with fees pegged at ₦50,000 for Nigerian clubs and ₵1,000 for Ghanaian teams.
With excitement building and logistics in place, the Game On Afrika Tournament is set to become a major platform for Africa’s next generation of football stars.
