Exciting behind the scenes.. Makinwa reveals the journey of two Nigerian talents to Europe and an injury that almost destroyed the dream
Former Nigeria international Stephen Makinwa has revealed how he discovered Olamide Fawaz and Yusuf Jimoh through a scouting programme before helping both youngsters secure professional contracts with Serbian club GFK Dubočica.
The former Lazio and Atalanta striker, now working as a football agent, has opened up about the recruitment process that took the two Nigerian prospects from Inspire Sport Academy to European football.
In an exclusive interview published by Footy-Africa on 20 October, Makinwa explained how he identified the players, followed their development and negotiated opportunities abroad.
Both youngsters have signed long-term contracts with GFK Dubočica 1923 who compete in Serbia's second division.
However, their routes to the same club were considerably different, with Jimoh earning his opportunity through a successful trial while Fawaz completed his move without undergoing one.
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How Stephen Makinwa discovered Fawaz and Jimoh
Makinwa traced the beginning of the two transfers to a talent identification programme he organised in November 2025.
The former Nigerian forward explained that he was particularly interested in attacking players because of his own experience as a professional striker.
"I ran a scouting programme last November and that was how I discovered them" Makinwa told Footy-Africa.
After identifying both prospects, he began monitoring their progress and exploring suitable opportunities to introduce them to European football.
His preference for attacking talents influenced his recruitment decisions, with Makinwa believing his playing background helps him recognise qualities needed to succeed in forward positions.
However, discovering the players was only the first stage of a process that required negotiations, trials and administrative arrangements before their moves could be completed.
Why Yusuf Jimoh needed a trial but Olamide Fawaz did not
Makinwa revealed that Jimoh's transfer was relatively straightforward.
GFK Dubočica was the first club approached about the youngster, who subsequently travelled to Serbia for a trial.
Jimoh impressed the club's technical staff and successfully completed the assessment.
He was then expected to return to Nigeria to arrange the necessary work permit documentation before joining his new teammates.
Fawaz's situation proved more complicated.
According to Makinwa, the youngster had previously attracted interest from clubs in Slovenia, Croatia, Israel, Azerbaijan, Slovakia and Serbia.
However, an injury disrupted several of those opportunities.
Rather than risk another unsuccessful trial process, Makinwa sought to convince GFK Dubočica to sign Fawaz directly.
The Serbian club accepted the proposal allowing the Nigerian prospect to secure his contract without undergoing a trial.
The contrasting situations underline the different challenges young African footballers can encounter when attempting to enter European football.
Who are Olamide Fawaz & Yusuf Jimoh?
Both players developed at Inspire Sport Academy in Nigeria before completing their transfers to GFK Dubočica in October 2026.
Fawaz, also identified as Agboluaje Fawaz Olamide, had previously attracted attention during the 1xCup scouting tournament in Lagos.
His performances included an individual goal against Dynamic FC which helped bring his attacking qualities to wider attention.
Jimoh, meanwhile, impressed GFK Dubočica during his trial, convincing the Serbian club to offer him a professional opportunity.
Their arrivals form part of a wider pattern of European clubs recruiting emerging Nigerian footballers directly from local academies.
Earlier this month, Foot Africa reported on Nigerian striker Musa Olusegun Lasisi's trial with Swedish club Djurgården.
Similarly, Royal Antwerp signed two Nigerian academy prospects, Orseer Achihi and Gabriel Jesus David in February 2025.
These moves illustrate how scouting networks, player representatives and academy partnerships can provide pathways into professional European football.
Why Makinwa's experience matters for young Nigerian players?
Makinwa brings considerable experience to his current role as a player representative.
During his playing career, he represented several Italian clubs, including Lazio, Atalanta, Palermo, Genoa and Reggiana.
He also earned international recognition with Nigeria's Super Eagles.
Since moving into player management, Makinwa has worked with several Nigerian footballers including former Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, Ezekiel Henty and Simeon Nwankwo.
His latest work with Fawaz and Jimoh highlights a growing focus on providing younger players with professional opportunities abroad.
Other Nigerian prospects have followed similar development routes, including Musa Maliq Omotayo who joined Belgian side Zulte Waregem from Ikorodu City.
What happens next for Fawaz and Jimoh in Serbia?
The two Nigerian youngsters now face the challenge of adapting to Serbian football and establishing themselves at GFK Dubočica.
The club compete in the Mozzart Bet Prva Liga, the country's second tier, and were eighth after 14 matches in the 2026/27 campaign.
According to the Serbian league's official records, Dubočica are scheduled to host Smederevo on Friday 23 October.
However, there has been no confirmed announcement regarding when either Nigerian newcomer will make his competitive debut.
Their immediate priorities will be settling into the squad, adapting to European football and earning opportunities under the coaching staff.
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17 October 2026
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