Andrew Uwe, former Flying Eagles captain to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in USSR in 1985 and a German Elite License and UEFA B License coach, has arrived at the ongoing Gombe State Inter Secondary Schools football competition, Principal’s Cup, to scout emerging talents.
Uwe, who arrived at the venue of the competition holding at the Gombe State Stadium in Pantami alongside with his friend, Coach Henry Ambrose, amid loud ovation from spectators, is aiming to discover young players with exceptional skills and potential for professional football.
Andrew Uwe, whose towering presence cannot be overlooked during his playing day in Nigeria’s national teams from mid 80s to late 90s, said is determined to assist upcoming players grow in football by selecting the players who excel at the competition for training in Germany and give the successful ones automatic scholarship to study and play football in Europe.
“Just want to help these kids that nobody wants to see them, or listen to them.
“These players at the grassroots have everything in them, we need to understand where they are coming from, reasoning with them and helping them grow. I am from a poor home and I am very proud of that, which is why I want to give back to the society that made me by assisting these children of nobody grow in their football,” Uwe said while speaking to journalists in Gombe yesterday.
The Gombe State Inter Secondary Schools soccer tournament and athletics competition kicked off with 40 public and 25 private schools across the state competing for medals.
Uwe Kicked off his professional football career with Ibadan club side Leventis United in 1985 before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland of Owerri) where he spent two seasons and helped them to reach the final of the African Champions Cup 1988.
In 1985, he captained the Nigeria team to winning bronze at the FIFA World Youth Championship in USSR, beating the host country in the third place match in the match that went into penalties.
