POWER SPEAKS IN ANAMBRA! Iloenyosi meets with Nascimento, the powerful agent of ECOWAS, to plan the grassroots football revolution

President of Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA), Chikelue Iloenyosi, held a strategic meeting with influential football administrator and legislator Manuel Nascimento on March 17, 2026, in a move aimed at transforming the development of grassroots football in the state.

The high-profile meeting took place on the sidelines of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s second-term inauguration and brought together two experienced figures in football governance and politics.

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At the heart of the discussions was a bold plan to revamp grassroots football, focusing on youth development, sustainable funding, competitions and modern infrastructure. Both parties explored ways to align the Anambra football system with international standards while unlocking opportunities for young talents.

Iloenyosi made it clear that building from the grassroots remains central to his vision.

“We must invest in youth competitions, coach training and facilities if we want to build a strong football future,” he said.

Nascimento, Member of the Parliament of Guinea-Bissau and Member of the ECOWAS Parliament, supported the initiative and highlighted that grassroots investment is the basis of football’s success.

“When properly funded and managed, grassroots football empowers youth, promotes unity and creates economic opportunities,” he said.

The meeting is seen as an important step in strengthening sports diplomacy, where Anambra FA will leverage international experience to accelerate the development of football.

With plans now taking shape, the collaboration signals an ambitious push to transform Anambra into a breeding ground for future football stars, as stakeholders look to turn vision into action.