Following the poor performance of Nigeria’s national under-20 football team in the recent match against Argentina, which ended 4–0, the Founder of Play More Football Foundation, Lawrence Okonji, has called on the government to take grassroots football development more seriously.

Mr. Okonji emphasized that one of the major reasons behind the founding of the Play More Football Foundation is to bridge the gap in grassroots training and nurture young talent across the country. According to him, the foundation continues to organize football programs at the community level to prepare children for future opportunities by teaching them the Play More Football (PMF) concepts inspired by Switzerland’s football structure.

He noted that the neglect of grassroots football in Nigeria has limited the country’s ability to produce quality players capable of competing at international standards.

“We are doing our part through training but we cannot do it alone,” Okonji said. “We urge the government and corporate organizations to support grassroots football initiatives and invest in the future of Nigerian sports.”

In 2025 alone, the academy has trained over 50 coaches and more than 200 children in Nigeria, focusing on tactical awareness, match planning, and technical skill development.

Play More Football Foundation remains committed to empowering young players, discovering hidden talents, and raising a new generation of footballers who can represent Nigeria proudly on the global stage