Super Eagles star Moses Simon set to discover new Benjamin Frederick

Super Eagles star Moses Simon is on a mission to discover and nurture more young football talents in Nigeria just like Benjamin Frederick.

The Moses Simon Foundation, in collaboration with the French Embassy, is set to organise a U15 tournament in Benue state, aiming to provide a platform for young players to showcase their skills and develop their game.

One of the beneficiaries of Moses Simon's grassroots initiative is Benjamin Frederick, a talented young defender who has already made waves in Nigerian football with his impressive performance for the Super Eagles during the World Cup qualifiers.

Frederick, a product of Simoiben Football Academy, was discovered by Moses Simon himself and has since gone on to impress at the national youth level, featuring for Nigeria's U-20 team at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Frederick's rise to prominence has been swift, earning him a move to English Premier League side Brentford, where he has been training with the first team and making appearances for the B team.

His talent and potential have also caught the attention of the Super Eagles coaching staff, with Eric Chelle praising his calm and composed performances.

The U15 tournament, which kicks off on November 20th, features 10 teams from Benue, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states, and is expected to provide a platform for young players to gain exposure and develop their skills.

Moses Simon emphasised the importance of the tournament, saying, "Yes, we are looking for future talents, but above all, we want to help young people grow up with the right values. Playing at a high level has taught me discipline, rigour, respect for the rules, taking care of my body, and listening to my coaches.”

He continued, "We are especially grateful to all the people and organisations who have made this event possible: our partners, the technical teams, the coaches, the volunteers, the families, as well as the local authorities.

"To all the young players here today, I want to say: play with heart, respect your opponents, listen to your coaches and be proud to be here."

Ten teams will compete in this year's U15 tournament. The teams were selected from Benue, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states, and will battle it out for top honours.

The teams include Greg's Legacy FA (Makurdi), Doc Boys FA (Makurdi), South Pole FC (Gboko), EmmyJeks FA (Makurdi), Otukpo United FC (Otukpo), City Stars FA (Agatu), Kileho Rentals FA (Gboko), Simoiben FC (Kaduna), Great Future Stars FA (Makurdi), and ANS Rising Stars FA (Nasarawa).