Premier League side Nottingham Forest have opened their doors to three young Nigerian footballers from Unicorns Football Club of Ilorin, as part of a two-week trial programme. The trio, Olamide Sunday Olasehinde (left winger), Sulyman Kehinde Quadri (central defender), and Sanni Sukanmi Adebayo (midfielder), are currently in the UK undergoing assessment with the high flying English club.

The players, who share strong ties with Forest striker and Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi, were scouted and recommended by Unicorns FC, which has built a reputation for exporting talent, with nine players sent abroad over the past year.

Speaking about the development, Unicorns CEO Victor Awoniyi expressed his optimism and pride in showcasing Nigerian grassroots talent on a global platform. The club’s secretary, Suleiman Atunrase, also accompanied the players to ensure smooth coordination during their stay.

Taiwo Awoniyi, who himself came through the Nigerian youth ranks and played at the U-15 and U-17 World Cups, welcomed the initiative, calling it a "privilege to be part of something that helps young players chase their dreams." He noted that creating such opportunities helps level the playing field for young Nigerians who might otherwise be overlooked.

Awoniyi hinted at further plans to connect more promising players to opportunities in Europe in the near future.

Editorial

At the heart of Nigerian football’s global resurgence are stories like these of grassroots players being offered trials at clubs thanks to the vision of those who once walked in their shoes. Taiwo Awoniyi’s role in opening doors for young players from his hometown club isn’t just heartwarming it’s transformative.

Football in Nigeria is bursting with raw talent, but the pathway to professional success remains narrow and often limited to those with the right access. That’s why this moment matters. It’s not just about three boys getting trials it’s about creating a replicable model. If more former and current professionals invest in grassroots initiatives, mentor young players, and use their networks to build bridges, the potential for long-term change is immense.

Unicorns FC deserves credit too. Their consistency in exporting talent signals that something is working and that our domestic system is capable of producing elite athletes when supported properly.

For the trio now in England, the next two weeks are filled with possibility. But for Nigerian football, this is already a win. Because when one makes it, the door opens a little wider for the next.

Did You Know?

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2. Taiwo Awoniyi won the FIFA U-17 World Cup with Nigeria in 2013 and was the team’s second-highest scorer in the tournament.
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4. Nottingham Forest is one of England’s oldest football clubs, founded in 1865, and has won two European Cups (1979 and 1980).
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6. Unicorns Football Club, based in Ilorin, Kwara State, is becoming a well-known talent hub, with multiple players already abroad.
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8. Trials in England require stringent visa and documentation processes, often coordinated with the support of club executives and national academies.
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10. Nigeria is one of the top exporters of football talent globally, with over 500 players plying their trade in foreign leagues across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
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