“NIKE THE CHANCE”: 5 YOUNG AFRICANS IN THE RACE FOR A PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Five promising young African players have advanced to the final stage of “Nike The Chance,” a prestigious program offering professional training at the Nike Academy located in St. George’s Park, England. These players include Sami Loukab from Algeria, Lamine Diop from Senegal, and three Ghanaians: Kurt Pienaar, Waylan Rooi, and Moses Katayi. They have distinguished themselves among 30 candidates during the regional phase and are now among 60 hopefuls competing for the five available spots at the Nike Academy.
The selection process focused on various criteria such as performance in reduced-game exercises, speed, agility, and endurance. These five players have demonstrated exceptional football skills, earning praise from Shawn Bishop, the technical director at Mamelodi Sundowns, who expressed pride in their talent and wished them success in the upcoming world phase.
“Nike The Chance,” now in its fourth edition, has a proven track record of nurturing talent, with approximately fifteen former participants successfully transitioning to professional careers. This initiative continues to provide aspiring young footballers with invaluable opportunities to pursue their dreams of playing at the highest level.
