Goal On Africa Tournament debuts in Imo
By CHRIS ABIAZIEM
The maiden edition of Goat of Africa Tournament (GOAT) is to be played in Owerri Imo State.
Founder/CEO of the tournament Lawrence Emeka Nwankwo disclosed this on Tuesday September 23, 2025 at a briefing in Owerri.
Nwankwo recalled his frustration in his early days in the United Kingdom while trying to be actively involved in football.
According to him, his honesty about his age robbed him of the opportunity to play in the age group category.
He said he was then a good footballer and more valuable in goalkeeping and felt his capacity in the beautiful round leather game could be more appreciated in the “age group” category but his honesty in stating his true age denied him a place in the U-19 teams.
Nwankwo said that the failure spurred him to float GOAT which he described as an avenue to to help the youths achieve what he could not achieve at that early stage.
He also posited that Goal On Africa Tournament (GOAT) among other valuable dividends will offer opportunities for youths exchange programmes and partnership with some English Premiership League clubs.
According to him, GOAT will offer young generation of Nigerians the opportunity to exposé their skills for easy discovery and recruitment by football scouts.
Also speaking, GOAT Project Manager, Jenny Anusiem informed that the organization is well grounded in football rules existing in Nigeria and Ghana.
She added that the tournament will be played in Nigeria and Ghana.
According to her, venues in Nigeria include Lagos, Abuja, Imo and Enugu.
Anusiem said overall winner of the U-19 tournament in Nigeria will travel to Accra Ghana to slug it out against the overall Ghanaian side.
The final winner of the U-19 tournament will emerge at the end of the return-leg match in Nigeria.
The winner will have the opportunity of travelling to the United Kingdom (UK) for more exposure to the game and other largesse, Anusiem said.
Coordinator for Enugu, Coach Felix Nwosu and his counterpart for Owerri, Coach Neville Okere were among top football administrators present at the briefing.
