Despite Nigeria’s vast sporting potential, its football achievements on the global stage remain underwhelming. This was the view of David Shepherd, Managing Director of Amazing Sports Tours and founder of the Manchester Cup summer football tournament.
  
Over the weekend in Manchester, a youth team assembled by Lagos-based Dynaspro Sports Promotion impressed with a 1–1 draw against Bolton FC’s U-16 side, and a resounding 8–2 victory over Bradford FC.
 
Speaking after the matches, Shepherd commended the raw talent of the Nigerian players. “The natural ability of kids from Nigeria is remarkable. They’re highly skilled and athletic. The difference is that here in the UK, we have world-class facilities and structured coaching programmes. That’s not quite the case in Nigeria. When these young players train in top facilities and work with professionals, their chances of excelling increase significantly. You have to see it to truly appreciate their capabilities.”
 
Shepherd also emphasised the importance of infrastructure and exposure, saying: “When I visited Nigeria, I saw kids playing on fields that don’t meet the standards that we have here. In the UK, every village has organised coaching programmes, and schools are deeply involved in sports development. While opportunities are more abundant here, natural talent will always shine through.”
 
Dynaspro CEO Oluseyi Oyebode highlighted the value of the UK tour, noting that the students received elite-level training under the guidance of Premier League coaches.
 
“This year’s talent pool has been exceptional. The boys played high-grade matches, including against an EFL academy team—one of our biggest achievements in recent years.”
 
Oyebode added: “We’re exploring more opportunities, including partnerships with Premier League and Championship clubs. Our goal is to continue showcasing Nigerian talent and developing future ambassadors and sports professionals. We also commend the parents and guardians who supported this initiative by allowing their children to participate. We hope this experience will be a lifelong source of learning and inspiration for them.”