Three promising Nigerian footballers are taking the next step in their careers with a two-week trial at English Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
Olamide Sunday Olasehinde (left winger), Sulyman Kehinde Quadri (centre-back), and Sanni Sukanmi Adebayo (midfielder) — all from Unicorns Football Club of Ilorin — have arrived in the UK in a bid to impress the Forest coaching staff and earn a shot at professional football in one of Europe’s top leagues.
The trial marks another major milestone for Unicorns FC, a growing hub for young talent in Nigeria, which has already sent nine players abroad in the past year alone.
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A New Pathway for Nigerian Talent
The trio’s opportunity comes as part of an exciting collaboration between Nigerian football development pathways and elite European clubs. Accompanied by Unicorns FC secretary Suleiman Atunrase, the players are focused solely on showing their potential in a professional environment.
Unicorns FC CEO Victor Awoniyi, who has played a central role in facilitating these opportunities, expressed his excitement:
“We are proud of what these boys have achieved so far. This trial is a step toward putting Nigerian talent on the global map, and we’re just getting started.”
Following in Familiar Footsteps
If successful, Olasehinde, Quadri and Adebayo would join Super Eagles duo Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina at Nottingham Forest – both of whom have become key figures for club and country.
Forest striker Awoniyi, who also represented Nigeria at U-15 and U-17 World Cups, reflected on what this moment means for young Nigerians:
““By creating opportunities for these young talents, we are not only giving them a chance to showcase their skills but also making their dreams a reality,” ”
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Why It Matters
As English football continues to attract elite talent from all over the world, the arrival of three young Nigerians on trial at Nottingham Forest highlights the increasing visibility and credibility of grassroots development in Africa.
It’s also a testament to the growing infrastructure within Nigerian academies, and the critical role clubs like Unicorns FC are playing in nurturing the country’s next footballing exports.
For these three young players, this trial is more than a chance to impress – it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.
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