Ronaldo’s old club step up African talent hunt with scouting trip to Nigeria

Ronaldo Delima's old club, Cruzeiro have intensified their push into the African market after sending a scouting representative to a youth tournament in Nigeria as part of a broader recruitment strategy, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Belo Horizonte club dispatched scout Isaque Silva to monitor the fifth edition of the Jagaban Cup, held in Lagos between March 26 and 29.

Widely regarded as a key talent showcase, the tournament continues to attract scouts from clubs across the globe.

Jagaban Cup continues to produce global talents

Eight teams featured in this year’s competition, with Broad City of Lagos emerging as champions. The tournament has built a reputation as a springboard for young African players aiming to break into international football.

One notable graduate is Uchenna Emmanuel, who now plays for Sparta Prague. The Nigerian defender is among several players who have used the platform to secure moves abroad in recent years.

Ronaldo's old club, others deepen African recruitment drive

Cruzeiro’s latest scouting mission is part of a growing trend among Brazilian clubs exploring Africa for emerging talent. The club had previously sent representatives to youth competitions in Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, underlining a consistent effort to tap into the continent.

Two Guinean prospects, both born in 2008, also recently trained with the club but did not secure permanent stays.

Sporting Director Joaquim Pinto has publicly backed the initiative, which shows that Cruzeiro is likely to complete signings from Africa in the near future.

Other Brazilian sides have already moved in that direction, with clubs like Atlético Mineiro, Palmeiras, São Paulo FC, and Internacional recruiting young players from Guinea, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Ghana, respectively—highlighting a clear shift towards Africa as a key talent pipeline.