Two deals sealed in Serbia over the past weekend have opened a new chapter for former Super Eagles’ striker, Stephen Ayodele Makinwa, as he steps into a new phase of taking youth players to European clubs, Sports247 reports.
Makinwa, who played for ten Italian clubs in quick succession at the height of his career, opened the new chapter in his 12-year-old career as a very successful players’ agent with deals for Jimoh Yusuf and Fawaz Agboluaje.
Both deals marked a change of direction and extension for ‘The Tiger of Lagos,’ who previously handled only senior national team players and a handful from Nigeria’s age-grade squads, as he now fully represents youth club talents.
The former striker, who also played in Greece, China and Slovenia in the twilight of his high profile career, is now a globally renowned FIFA-licensed agent and represents mostly Nigerian players through his sports management agency, Makoz Group.
Among very notable national team players Makinwa transferred to big clubs or who he managed at European sides under his Makoz Group label was Eddie Ogenyi Onazi, who had a glorious time at SS Lazio of Italy, from where he moved to Trabzonspor of Turkey and FK Žalgiris of Lithuania.
Other notable senior national team stars with whom the jocular Makinwa, who hails from Ile-Oluji in Ondo State, has played key roles with are Simeon ‘Simy’ Nwankwo, Blessing Eleke, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Uche Agbo as well as former under-20 left-back, Stanley Amuzie.
Incidentally, Makinwa’s first deal as an agent was for fellow Nigerian Grassroots Football Federation (NGFF) project team product,
Ezekiel Henry (aka Henty), who he reunited with at NK Gorica of Slovenia and actually inspired his senior colleague to venture into player management in 2014.
Makinwa, who grew up in Lawanson area of Lagos and is now 43 years old, transfered ‘Henty’ to Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia, Locomotiv Moscow of Russia and Videoton of Hungary, among other clubs for the former AC Milan of Italy protege.
Also under Makinwa’s banner are Mathias Oyewusi, who also played for Gorica and FK Žalgiris of Lithuania; Joshua Akpudje at FK Panevėžys (Lithuania) and FK Jablonec (Czech Republic) as well as 2007 FIFA U17 World Cup winning captain, Musa Muhammad at FK Sarajevo in Bosnia.
Makinwa has now embarked on the next phase of his surge as an agent, with efforts in youth and talent development transfers to Serbia as a pipeline for young Africans into modest European leagues to start their professional careers.
At the start of this new phase for ‘Mak’ is the duo of Jimoh Yusuf and Fawaz Agboluaje, who he transferred to GFK Dubočica Leskovac as well as Ojudu FC of Lagos revelation, Daniel Aghaowa Agboghidi at FK IMT Belgrade, all in Serbia.
Before them came deals for other less prominent lads, in the ranks of which were Oyewusi (a centre forward at Raja Club Athletic), Johan Nkama (defensive midfielder with FC Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy) and Meshack Ubochioma (outside right winger at FK Gabala).
He also recently took Henty to Hapoel Rishon leZion of Israel and Musa Muhammed to Coton Sport FC as well as Jude Madaki (attacking midfielder at Zalaegerszegi TE), Muhammad Abdulkadir (centre forward at Polissya Zhytomyr U21) and another former youth international, Seth Sincere.
This past Sunday, Makinwa sealed a new senior deal for former Super Eagles’ invitee, Uche Henry Agbo, and the wave making agent splashed it on social media during a stop over at Aghaowa’s base, as he celebrated several successful transfers in one weekend.
During his short detour at Aghahowa’s club after his latest deals, Makinwa posted: “A quick stop in Belgrade to check on the gentle giant, Dani at the bar of FK IMT MrBit club house.
“The work doesn’t stop after a player signs, staying close, checking in and supporting the journey is just as important. #nigeria #football #imt #serbia #makozgroup.”
Sports247 reports further that the unfolding success story of Stephen Ayodele Makinwa marks a huge point of motivation for anyone who feels disillusioned by tough days early in life, as he braved all odds from a humble beginning.
After growing up with his mum and younger brother, Akinola, his turning point came in 1999, when a mentor urged him to drop an admission that had been guaranteed at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and embark on a move to Jomo Cosmos FC of South Africa instead.
Although the deal, which was brokered by a journalist, Mark Ogagan, did not work out, Makinwa was soon spotted by Barrister Churchill Oliseh, who signed him at FC Ebedie and transferred to Regianna of Italy in the year 2000, after which he switched several Serie A clubs in quick succession.
‘The Tiger of Lagos’ then scored on his debut for the Super Eagles against South Africa at the 2004 Nelson Mandela Challenge, later won bronze at AFCON 2006, netted two goals in 14 international appearances … and the rest is history.
