Former international, Shola Akinwale, wants the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to monitor talents at the ongoing 2016 NNPC/Shell Cup tournament.
The one-time highest goal scorer in the local league said talents abound at the tournament but NFF officials have not paid attention to them.
“We’ve been clamouring for a long time that we have talented players in the country and the inability of NFF officials to monitor them is the bane of the development of our grassroots football.
“For instance, NFF officials have not been watching the ongoing 2016 NNPC/Shell Cup tournament. And I must confess to you that there are abundant talents in the tournament.
“All the NFF officials need to do is to watch the players and recommend them for the national teams coaches,” Akinwale said.
The zonal preliminary matches at the Township Stadium, Katsina produced two schools for the quarter finals – Government Secondary School, Kwankaso, Kano and Government Day Secondary School, Samaru Ibrahim, Gusau.
FOLSA Academy Secondary School, Abuja emerged from Minna zone; and Government Secondary School, Goniri from Jalingo zone at the expense of schools from Gombe, Borno, and Adamawa States.
In Ilorin zone, Bauchi State representatives, Government (Senior) Secondary School, Darazo progressed to the quarterfinals; Excel Education Centre, Port Harcourt did from Uyo zone.
Owerri zone produced National Grammar School, Nike, Enugu State.
St. Mary’s High School, Ifitedunu, Anambra State emerged from Ughelli zone; Pakoto High School, Ifo, Ogun State (Osogbo zone); and Asegun Comprehensive High School, Ibadan (Akure zone).
Quarterfinal matches hold from today, Sunday, May 22 and Monday, May 23 at four centres with 10 teams to battle for four semifinal tickets.
The centre are Katsina, Ilorin, Benin and Osogbo.
Government Secondary School, Kwankwaso will battle FOLSA Academy Secondary School in Katsina.
The winner between Government Secondary School, Goniri and Government Senior Secondary School, Darazo in the match in Ilorin will face Government Day Secondary School, Samaru Ibrahim, Gusau.
The winner between Excel Education Centre, Port-Harcourt and St. Mary’s High School, Ifitedunu in the contest in Benin will battle National Grammar School, Nike.
Pakoto High School, Ifo will trading tackles with Asegun Comprehensive High School, Ibadan in Osogbo.