BY SAB OSUJI

Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as 'Akwa Okuko Tiwalu Aki', has thrown his weight behind Maureen Mmadu, a former Super Falcons midfielder, following her giant strides in ensuring that young boys and girls discovered their football talents and developed such to achieve fame and make a decent living from their God-given talents, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

The famous ''Akwa Okuko Tiwalu Aki' of Oba, near Onitsha, spoke on Tuesday at his palatial Country Home when the former Super Falcons Assistant Coach presented the giant trophy her team won during the recently concluded Idemili South LG Women Football Championship.

Nwangwu eulogised Mmadu's spirit of commitment to the game of football especially throwing her resources into making sure that young girls were not denied opportunity of following their dreams.

"We appreciate you and what you're doing. It's not easy. Not many can do this, especially at this period of hard economic times in the country", starts 'Akwa Okuko Tiwalu Aki'.

"It's not easy for a lady to throw her hard earned money in making sure that young boys and girls made a good living from the game of football. Your efforts will not be in vain. We'll support you. We'll encourage you to achieve your ultimate ambition".

The Maureen Mmadu Football Academy was set up soon after working as Super Falcons Assistant Coach. In 2022, the academy won the Anambra FA Cup (women) and represented the state in the Federation Cup (women) where they reached the second round.

Recently, Mmadu also floated the Maureen Mmadu Football Academy (Boys). She's running the two side-by-side.

Arguably the most capped Nigeria Women Footballer, Mmadu said her motive in floating the women football academy was to break the 'girl child inhibition where parents don't like their girls to take part in sports, particularly football.

"I was a victim of this odd tradition so I decided to provide the platform for the present generation of girls to get a good beginning in the game", the dark-skinned midfielder fondly called MAMA by her players said.

"Besides, I was also driven by the spirit to give back to the society. Yes, the road has been rough and tough but we must continue to do our best to help these kids".

Mmadu was a proud product of Ado Babes FC, Onitsha in the 1990s. She also played for several other clubs before traveling to Europe where she played for several clubs in Norway and Sweden. She also coached in Norway.

Norwegian Coach and Scout, Dan Eggen, who came for a scouting mission with his son, Aaron, accompanied Maureen Mmadu and her team on the courtesy visit to Chidozie Nwangwu, 'Akwa Okuko Tiwalu Aki.

Eggen was thrilled to be on the entourage, saying it was his first time of entering in a 'Castle of this Magnitude'.

"I'll go back home to Norway with a rich, lovely memory of Oba, Anambra State and Nigeria", he said.

Eggen said he was in love with the local dish he savoured.

"I ate potatoes and swallow". Its nice".

Similarly, the Maureen Mmadu Football Academy Talent Hunt came to a fitting end on Tuesday at Rojenny Stadium, Oba, near Onitsha. 

The five-day scouting program came to a thrilling climax Tuesday with a novelty match by the players pencilled down during the course of the program with the Norwegian Scout, Dan Eggen, who once coached Maureen Mmadu yet to reveal his final list of successful players. He is billed to depart for his native country, Norway, on Thursday, 19 September, 2024.