Sports journalist Afolabi Oni, popularly known as “Oni Guarantor,” has criticised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over its handling of the visa difficulties that prevented Falconets captain Joy Igbokwe and some other key players from travelling for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

Sports247 gathered, Oni described the situation as disappointing and argued that the football authorities should have exhausted every legitimate avenue to help the affected players resolve their visa challenges.

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“Nigeria Football Federation must be ashamed of themselves,” Oni said, expressing particular concern over Igbokwe’s absence from the tournament.

According to the journalist, Igbokwe’s importance extended beyond her role as captain. He noted that the young midfielder had emerged as a leading voice within the team and played an important role in Nigeria’s qualification campaign.

Oni argued that missing the World Cup could have significant consequences for Igbokwe’s career, particularly at a stage when exposure at a global tournament could have attracted interest from European clubs, professional opportunities and potential sponsorships.

He questioned why the NFF did not explore additional diplomatic and football channels, including engaging the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and seeking dialogue with Polish authorities.

He also suggested that the federation could have approached FIFA to determine whether there was any possibility of allowing players affected by visa denials another opportunity to participate.

Instead, Oni said, the affected players were replaced and the situation appeared to move on without sufficient institutional intervention.

For him, however, the issue goes beyond Igbokwe and the other players who missed the tournament.

“What message is the NFF sending to the next generation of Nigerian players?” he asked.

Oni warned that if young footballers believe their sacrifices for the national team can be easily overlooked when administrative challenges threaten their careers, it could gradually affect their trust, motivation and commitment to representing Nigeria.

He stressed that a World Cup can be a life-changing opportunity for young players, potentially opening doors to professional contracts, trials, scholarships, sponsorships and international recognition.

“Igbokwe and the other affected players deserved more than simply being replaced,” he said. “They deserved to know that the people entrusted with Nigerian football were willing to fight for them.”

Oni urged the NFF to recognise that protecting players is part of protecting the future of Nigeria’s national teams.

“Sometimes, protecting the player is also protecting the future of the national team,” he concluded.

Two promising Nigerian midfielders, Raheem Moyinoluwa Salaudeen and Fawas Ayomide Adeleke, have attracted significant attention in the United Kingdom after impressing during a football trial, with both youngsters now being considered for scholarship opportunities that could combine their football development with further education.

The teenage midfielders, who are products of Buruj Sports Academy, caught the attention of the technical team with their performances during the trial, opening the door to what could become a major step forward in their young careers.

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Following their impressive showing, Anthony Williams MSC, Director of UK Football Trials, approached the players over a potential scholarship opportunity, with discussions now ongoing with their management representatives.

The proposed scholarships would give the two youngsters an opportunity to continue their football development in the United Kingdom while also pursuing further education, providing a pathway that could prove crucial to their ambitions of becoming professional footballers.

Salaudeen, born on May 13, 2010, has already built an impressive international résumé despite his young age.

The midfielder represented Nigeria at U-15 level during a two-legged international friendly against Morocco in 2024 before featuring for the country at the All African School Games in Algeria in 2025.

His performances subsequently earned him a call-up to the Nigeria U-17 set-up for a four-nation international invitation tournament in China in 2026.

Salaudeen has also gained experience beyond youth international football, having featured in Nigeria’s Nationwide League One, giving him an opportunity to compete against older and more experienced players.

Adeleke, born on April 20, 2011, has followed a similarly impressive path.

The young midfielder represented Nigeria at U-15 level against Morocco in 2024 and was also part of the Nigerian team at the African Schools Football Championship in 2025.

Like Salaudeen, Adeleke has already stepped into senior football through appearances in the Nationwide League One despite still being a teenager.

That combination of youth international experience and exposure to senior football has now helped place both players firmly on the radar in the United Kingdom.

Their latest trial has therefore become more than just another opportunity to showcase their ability.

It could potentially open the door to a new football and educational environment where they can continue developing their technical and tactical qualities while preparing academically for their future.

Both players have completed their secondary education in Nigeria and are now looking ahead to the possibility of beginning the next chapter of their lives in the United Kingdom.

For Salaudeen and Adeleke, the opportunity comes at a crucial stage in their development, with both youngsters determined to take full advantage of the interest generated by their performances.

Their journey from representing Nigeria at youth international level, to gaining valuable senior experience in the NLO, and now attracting scholarship interest in the United Kingdom, underlines the progress made by the two Buruj Sports Academy products.

With discussions over the proposed scholarships continuing, the young Nigerians now have an opportunity that could take their careers to another level.

And if they can build on the promise that attracted attention during their UK trial, Salaudeen and Adeleke could be taking their first major steps towards turning their dream of professional football into reality.