Five top talents from FC Ebedei are currently training with FC Midtjylland with the hope of eventually signing for the Danish club.
Tipsbladet is familiar with their names, but FC Midtjylland would like to keep them secret.
These are five talents aged 16-17 – a tackling, strong stopper, a right back with a good cross, a central midfielder, a dribbling offensive player and a physically strong striker.
They have been training with the club’s U17 and U19 teams for a month and a half.
In addition to the training sessions, the stay is also about teaching them about the differences between Nigerian and Danish culture.
This is emphasized by Jonas Dal, who is responsible for the collaboration between FC Ebedei and FC Midtjylland, to Tipsbladet.
“We have to look at them, and they have to look at us. It’s really to make it even better than everyone else is doing,” said the 46-year-old from Mid Jutland, who is responsible for the collaboration with FC Ebedei.
“It is also part of their learning, so when we do want to associate them, they are both associated, because they are skilled footballers who at the same time can fit into the European culture without falling apart.
“You can be a good footballer, but if you can’t be in the environment, it will be difficult. It is also about being able to put many of the impressions that come to one side, and then at the same time be a skilled footballer.”
Since 2003, FC Midtjylland have had a close collaboration with the Nigerian football club and academy FC Ebedei.
Superliga historians will be able to recognize names such as Rilwan Hassan, Adigun Salami and Sylvester Igboun, all of whom have been brought in from FC Ebedei and FC Midtjylland.
If you have started following the Superliga in recent years, you might rather remember players like Frank Onyeka, Paul Onuachu and Raphael Onyedika.
All six and many more left a significant mark on the Super League, before any of them were sold on for large sums of millions.
FC Midtjylland hope to repeat that success and that is why they currently have the five boys from FC Ebedei on trial training.
