Introduction to the 2025 African Football Holding Scouting Tournament
African Football Holding (AFH) has revealed that its highly anticipated Scouting Tournament will be held from November 15 to 20, 2025, in Ikenne, Ogun State. This event is set to bring together a remarkable lineup of international scouts, technical directors, and club representatives from Europe, North America, and other regions around the globe.
The week-long showcase is an essential part of AFH’s ongoing mission to create a structured and credible pathway for African footballers to transition from academy level to professional football. By providing a platform where young talents can be assessed by experienced professionals, AFH aims to ensure that potential is recognized and nurtured effectively.
Key Figures Involved in the Tournament
Leading the international delegation is Sascha Werner Empacher, CEO and Founder of SPOCS and African Football Holding. His efforts have been pivotal in establishing connections between African academies and major European clubs. The tournament will feature several distinguished guests, including:
- Giovambattista Martino (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine)
- Carlos Aalbers, Director of Players and Transfers, NEC Nijmegen (Netherlands)
- Tufan Das and Jahid Asgarov (Neftçi PFK, Azerbaijan)
- Vincent van Raam, Head of Recruitment, Charlotte FC (MLS)
- Sergio Neveleff, Global Scout, New England Revolution (MLS)
Other notable attendees include:
- Björn Ganser (Górnik Zabrze, Poland)
- Johannes and Marcus Noack (MN Germany)
- Jamie Rietiker-Wright (Göztepe SK/Southampton, Sport Republic Group)
- Frank Rybak and Jordi van der Starren (both from Germany)
- Martin Pfeifer (Austria)
- Bastian Sistemich and Kai Noltemeyer (SPOCS, Germany)
- Bennard Kumordzi (KRC Genk, Belgium)
- Seyi Olofinjana (Chelsea FC, England)
The Role of Ikenne as a Football Development Center
According to Gbenga Abejoye, a representative of African Football Holding, the Ikenne scouting tournament is designed to serve as a true bridge between African grassroots football and the global professional stage. “Our goal is to provide a credible platform where African players can be seen and properly assessed by legitimate scouts from top clubs around the world,” Abejoye explained. “We are building a structure that ensures potential is not wasted and that talented players have a clear pathway to international football.”
Ikenne has become one of Nigeria’s leading football development centers, known for its quality infrastructure and strong tradition of youth training. The town’s serene environment and modern sporting facilities make it an ideal venue for a scouting event of this magnitude.
Structure and Objectives of the Tournament
The tournament will feature select academies and regional teams showcasing top under-20 players, with all matches designed to give participants maximum exposure before international observers. This setup ensures that the players receive the attention they deserve from scouts and club representatives.
Earlier in the year, AFH entered into a strategic partnership with Jewels Football Academy. This collaboration aims to align African academy operations with international scouting standards. The synergy has since strengthened AFH’s mission to elevate player development standards and streamline access to global opportunities.
Long-Term Vision and Impact
AFH emphasizes that the scouting tournament is not a one-off event but part of a larger developmental system. The organization plans to monitor and mentor standout players post-tournament, ensuring they receive legitimate representation and long-term career guidance.
By combining partnerships, structure, and international expertise, African Football Holding aims to redefine how football talent is discovered, developed, and elevated from Africa to the world stage. With a star-studded delegation and a vision rooted in professionalism, the 2025 AFH Scouting Tournament in Ikenne stands as a major milestone in Africa’s football evolution, one that could set a new continental standard for talent discovery and global integration.