By Tony Oji
It is a dream come true for the U-16 footballers, who were on Sunday selected as members of Team Nigeria for trials in Germany, which takes place in October this year, Orient Sports reports.
The lucky players came from 10 clubs that participated at the Bayern Youth Cup which ended in Awka, the Anambra capital town on Sunday.
Besides, a total of 100 players between the ages of 15 and 16 took part in the 2-day invitational tournament.
The successful players were Sadik Mailafia, Adeoye Tunmise, Mohammed Abubarka, Abdulata Omale, Nzube Mbaezue, Onoja Uchenna, Ayinde Ibrahim, Aladinla Oladayo Franklin Ogbozor and Lateef Alabi.
Orient Sports confirms that it was jointly sponsored by Aspire Foundation, VOE Foundation, Bayern Munich FC and Anambra Sports Development Commission.
Again, Proprietor of VOE Foundation and representative partner of Bayern Munich in Nigeria, Obinna Edeh said the tournament was superb and held in an environment which compared with what was obtainable at Allianz Arena Germany.
Edeh said the young selected players would be nurtured at the Bayern Munich Academy and expressed hope that they would hit the peak of their career in no distant time.
Also, Dr. Emeka Okeke, Chairman Board of Trustees of Aspire Foundation, said his organisation would continue to provide the platform for youths to express themselves at the world stage.
Okeke said as a private organisation, he would continue to support the efforts of the government by sponsoring events that would promote marketable skills and develop talent.
The Bayern Youth Cup was held under the technical supervision of Hans Pflugler, a retired German player and member of the 1990 world cup winning team with support from Christopher Loch, coach of Bayern Academy.
Speaking to Orient Sports by the youngest among the successful players, Mbaezue Nzube lauded the organisers and was hopeful that the trip to Germany would help him achieve his dream of being a professional Footballer.
Meanwhile, the Competition was won by FC Hearts of Kano who were the defending champions.
Orient Sports authoritatively reports that since the launch of *My Anambra Football, there has been deliberate effort led by Aspire Foundation at laying a foundation that will improve football standard in the State.