Doris Ewoh, Enugu
A foreign scouting team led by FIFA licensed agent, Mr. Philip Mbah, has visited Rangers FC of Enugu to assess young players for possible international signings.
The scouting exercise, which commenced on Monday, January 5, 2025, and was held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, was described as successful, with the visitors expressing satisfaction with the quality of talents observed during training and match sessions. The delegation later met with the President/Managing Director of Rangers FC, Barr. Amobi Ezeaku, at his office.
Welcoming the scouts, Ezeaku highlighted the club’s achievements, challenges, and long history of producing international players. He praised Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for his continued support of the club and his commitment to football development in the state.
According to Ezeaku, proceeds from player transfers benefit the state government, all stakeholders on the football chain and contribute to economic growth.
Ezeaku called for collaboration among stakeholders and football enthusiasts, referencing ongoing collaborations among the club and several homegrown brands.
“We continue to call for collaborations. We now have a foundation for the club, the Rangers Foundation, chaired by a senior police officer, Ebere Amaraizu, and has one of Nigeria’s greatest sons, Prince Engr. Arthur Eze, as her grand patron.
“We recognize that to lift the club to the heights we envisage, all hands must be on deck, reason my door is always open for partnerships. PACESETTER team is here today because of the partnership and collaboration that we have just entered into with them”.
While soliciting for a repeat of the scouting exercise, he expressed appreciation for the visit, noting that the exercise will motivate young players and create opportunities for growth within the club.
Also present was the Secretary of Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, Prince Barr. Onochie Igwesi, who noted that it was instructive to speak, being a public office holder of the state, lauded the scouts for visiting Enugu.
He reiterated the passionate involvement of Gov. Peter Mbah in the now rebranded Rangers, adding that Ezeaku, through his expertise, had carried out a comprehensive overhaul of the football club and restored the club’s glory.
“All that my brother, the club’s president has explained are not inflated or overbloated stories. Before now, it was not a common thing for the people of the Southeast to wear the club’s jersey, but today, if you move around the entire city of Enugu, you will find people adorning the Rangers jersey with pride. Another common sight is that whenever Rangers is playing, you find that the Cathedral is filled to the brim.”
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Philip Mbah, who led the scouts from Portugal and Hungary, said his team conducts annual international scouting tours every quarter, and that he decided to visit Rangers FC this season due to the strong persuasion from the club’s president. He confirmed that he was impressed with the talents on display and expressed optimism about future engagements with the club.
Responding to the request for a second round of scouting exercise, he assured that it will happen around March or July, 2026.
Mr. Saju of Portugal and his Hungarian counterpart also commended the quality of the players, stating that their team focuses on Africa and that Nigeria is a promising destination for scouting.
They expressed hope that some of the players would eventually secure opportunities in Europe, describing the experience as encouraging.
Highlights of the visit were the presentation of the club’s jersey to the scouting team, and a tour of the Rangers office, led by Barr. Amobi Ezeaku.