Nigeria’s readiness for the next generation of Olympic Eagles players has gained a new dimension with the arrival of a coach whose career has been built around identifying and developing young football talent.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Ahmed Lawal Dankoli as chief scout of the U-23 national team, bringing his extensive experience in grassroots football and youth development into the team’s technical structure ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games qualifying campaign.
Dankoli officially began his assignment on Thursday at the Olympic Eagles’ training camp in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, where he has joined the technical crew as preparations continue for the upcoming qualifying encounter against DR Congo.
His appointment places particular emphasis on talent identification at a crucial stage of the team’s preparations. With the Olympic Eagles expected to build a squad capable of navigating the qualification process, Dankoli will be responsible for helping identify players who can strengthen the team’s options.
The new chief scout has spent several years working across different levels of Nigerian football, with much of his career devoted to youth development. Since 2012, he has served as head coach of Abuja Football College, an institution affiliated with Croatian club HNB Rijeka and supported by an oil servicing company.
The academy, now based in Port Harcourt, has provided a pathway for young Nigerian players seeking opportunities to develop and progress into professional football.
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Through his work there, Dankoli has reportedly scouted, nurtured and developed more than 100 players who have gone on to feature in the Nigeria Professional Football League and European leagues. More than 40 of those players are currently playing in Europe, while several have represented Nigeria at different age-group levels.
His contribution to the national team structure has also extended beyond the academy system. More than five players developed under his guidance have reportedly earned appearances for the senior Super Eagles within the last three years.
Dankoli’s coaching experience includes a spell as head coach of Ranchers Bees FC between 2002 and 2004, followed by an appointment at Sokoto Football Academy in 2005, where he led the team to a tournament in the Czech Republic.
He also coached the NPFL U-17 All-Stars team in 2019, adding domestic league experience to his youth development background.
At national team level, Dankoli has previously worked with several youth sides. He served as assistant coach of the U-15 team during the 2019 Japan Youth Invitational Tournament and was part of the technical crew of the U-17 national team in 2020 and 2022. He later worked with the U-23 team in 2023 before joining the U-20 technical crew in 2024.
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His experience also includes taking Abuja Football College on annual European football tours and tournaments since 2014, giving young players opportunities to compete and gain exposure outside Nigeria.
A former professional footballer who played in Nigeria, Asia and Europe, Dankoli brings playing experience alongside his years of coaching, scouting and talent development.
His latest appointment gives the Olympic Eagles another resource as they begin the journey towards the 2028 Olympic Games. It also brings a specialist in youth development into a team whose progress will depend partly on how effectively Nigeria identifies and integrates emerging talent into the U-23 setup.
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