In a disturbing case of football fraud, a young Nigerian footballer, Timileyin, recently faced immense hardship after being deceived by Prince Oladimeji of Splendid Global Sport International, also known as Coach Kamal, who falsely promised to secure a professional football contract for him. This incident highlights the growing menace of fraudulent agents who exploit aspiring footballers and their families with false promises of securing international contracts.
The Deception
Prince Oladimeji of Splendid Global Sport International approached Timileyin’s parents with assurances of securing a professional football contract for their son in Turkey. Despite FIFA regulations strictly prohibiting agents from charging players or their families, especially minors, Oladimeji allegedly received multiple payments from Timileyin’s parents, often through third-party intermediaries. The payments were sent to account numbers provided by Oladimeji himself.
Convinced by the promises, Timileyin, alongside Oladimeji, traveled to Turkey, believing that an opportunity awaited him. However, upon arrival, he discovered that no official invitation from any club existed. The intermediary that Oladimeji had relied upon failed to fulfill their end of the deal, leaving Timileyin stranded in an unfamiliar country.
Survival and Struggles in Turkey
With no football contract or official documentation, Timileyin was left to fend for himself. He took on menial jobs to survive while searching for a training ground. Eventually, he found a Nigerian and African-rooted football club at Fatih Belediye Stadium, where he met compatriots who advised him that Turkey might not be the ideal destination for his career.
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Unfortunately, Timileyin’s story is not unique. Thousands of young Nigerian and African players have found themselves trapped in Turkey under similar circumstances. Many are left without valid residency documents, making them vulnerable to difficult living conditions and uncertainty about their future.
Forced Return to Nigeria
Timileyin’s ordeal took a turn for the worse when Turkish immigration authorities discovered his lack of legal documentation. He had to return to Nigeria, with a Nigerian Good Samaritan raising part of the funds required for his journey back home. Now back in Nigeria, he is training with a Lagos-based football team, determined to rebuild his career after a traumatic experience.
Fraudulent Agents Continue to Exploit Young Talents
Despite the clear violations of FIFA regulations, Prince Oladimeji has reportedly continued to promote similar deceptive schemes on his Facebook page. He has also issued defamatory statements against Timileyin in an apparent attempt to blackmail him after his return.
The exploitation of young African footballers by fraudulent agents has been a long-standing issue. In 2008, the BBC conducted an investigative report detailing how numerous Nigerian and African players were tricked into paying large sums for nonexistent football opportunities abroad. One of the highlighted cases involved an 18-year-old Nigerian, Isaiah Akpan, who was promised trials with English clubs. After paying hefty fees, the supposed agent vanished, leaving him stranded.
Similarly, a 2024 report by The Guardian shed light on how scammers use social media platforms like LinkedIn and WhatsApp to lure naive players into paying for fake trials. The report also provided warning signs for aspiring footballers and their families, urging them to verify any agent’s legitimacy through FIFA and national football associations before making any financial commitments.
A Call for Awareness and Protection
Timileyin’s experience serves as a harsh reminder of the dangers young footballers face in their pursuit of professional careers abroad. Stakeholders in Nigerian football, including government agencies, sports organizations, and the media, must do more to educate players and their families about the risks of dealing with unverified agents.
FIFA, in collaboration with national football federations, needs to enforce stricter penalties on fraudulent agents exploiting young talents. Additionally, aspiring players should be encouraged to pursue legitimate pathways to professional football, such as academy programs, verified scouting networks, and club trials conducted through officially recognized channels.
Football remains one of the greatest dreams for many young Nigerians, but that dream should not come at the cost of their dignity, safety, or future. Timileyin’s story is a wake-up call to aspiring footballers, parents, and authorities to remain vigilant and ensure that young talents are protected from predatory individuals who seek to exploit their ambitions.