Jagaban Cup, A Cesspool Of Premier Talent Factory – Gafar Liameed

By Saheed Afolabi

Convener and founder of the Jagaban Cup, Hajji Gafar Liameed has revealed that the topmost scouting competition is known for its deep and wide range of talented youngsters who have made their way to secure professional contract with top clubs in Europe while maintaining the legacy of the competition as a creative platform for grassroots footballers.

For the sixth straight year, the Jagaban Cup has crowned a first-time winner after Broad City FC from Lagos State edged out Klassisch FA with a lone goal to lift the trophy in a thrilling final on Sunday.

Gafar who’s also doubles as the chairman of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) hailed the result as proof of the tournament’s unique formula and top level of competitiveness from participating teams.

“Consistency, since the inception of this tournament, there has never been a back-to-back winner,” Liameed said.

“While we have it, it is because we pre-scout clubs before inviting them to come and participate. If you look in the last five years, we have one or two clubs that have been consistent playing in the Jagaban Cup of course the host club, 36 Lion FC and we go around Lagos and outside Lagos. The club that won it last year is SGFC from Kwara State, and this year Broad City from Lagos State won it. It has been producing new champion every year and it’s the best tournament in Nigeria.”

The victory capped a dramatic campaign that saw Broad City battle through a field of carefully selected teams from across Nigeria. Liameed credited the tournament’s ethos to the namesake inspiration of the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who’s known as Jagaban Borgu a symbol of decisive action.

“The theme that inspires this competition is Jagaban Borgu. He’s a thinker. If he wants it, he goes for it and takes it. You must want it and take it. Broad City wanted it and they took it.”

Beyond the silverware, the Jagaban Cup once again lived up to its reputation as Nigeria’s premier talent factory. Liameed revealed that no fewer than 14 players are scouted from the tournament every edition, with this year’s crop set to break a new record.

“I’m bold to tell you also that this year will see 15 young players that will travel abroad. If you notice in the last four days, the scouts will come up with one or two players and then hand them the club jersey, take a picture with them that’s also saying they are keeping their records. Whichever player they take a picture with and they requested for that player, they make sure it’s the same player we send to them.”

The tournament’s alumni list already reads like a who’s-who of rising African stars. Several graduates are now featuring in Europe’s top competitions, including the UEFA Champions League and Europa Cup, while others have made the journey to Brazil.

Liameed singled out one the dramatic success story of Mamadou Cisse, a 19-year-old Guinean forward he personally scouted from Guinea Conakry two years ago.

“He was scouted here and taken to Athletico Mineiro in Brazil,” Liameed recalled.

“After eight months of adaptation, he became a first-team player. He’s presently in Morocco only 19 years old. He was invited by his national team and some days ago he scored a goal and contributed one assist.”