Participants at the FCV Camp, which is currently on a tour of top clubs in England, have described the opportunities provided by the academy to young Nigerian footballers as life-changing and a unique platform to sharpen their skills while preparing for the demands of Europe’s competitive football environment.
 
The trip to England, facilitated by Lagos-based Dynaspro Sports Promotion, is aimed at providing Nigerian youths with the opportunity to combine elite football training with quality education.
 
Currently, 18 Nigerian players are participating in an intensive two-week training programme under the guidance of UEFA-licensed coaches and former English Premier League stars.
 
Relishing the opportunity to feature in the camp, 14-year-old David Esievo, based in London, and 16-year-old Mansur Achimugu said that the FCV experience is proving to be transformative, as it focuses on equipping players with foundational techniques designed to shape them into world-class professionals.

In his delight, Esievo, the youngest Nigerian in camp, told The Guardian: “I was introduced to the academy by a friend, and I have no regrets. The coaches are excellent and very supportive.

I enjoyed my time at the camp, and the facilities are world-class.”
 
Ramadan Akinleye, who travelled from Lagos, said that adapting to the new environment has been part of his learning curve, adding: “The weather is different, but I’m adjusting. The coaches are experienced and professional, and the players are good. We also get to interact with international players. The academy is focused — it’s football every day. They play more physically here compared to Nigeria, and the technical level is high.”