Mailantarki Care Football Academy has continued to produce promising young talents and provide them with opportunities to develop their careers abroad, with midfielder Hamza Muhammad the latest player to leave the Abuja-based academy.
The 18-year-old has completed a move to Israeli club Hapoel Jerusalem, signing a long-term deal that will see him continue his development in Europe as he takes another important step in his fledgling career.
Muhammad’s move comes after attracting interest from several clubs in Scandinavia, particularly following Mailantarki Care Football Academy’s participation in youth competitions in the region over the past few years.
Clubs from Denmark and Norway had monitored his progress and expressed interest in securing his services, but Hapoel Jerusalem ultimately won the race for the talented midfielder after presenting a development plan that appealed to both the player and his representatives.
A versatile midfielder, Muhammad is comfortable operating in different positions across the middle of the pitch. He possesses the ability to pick out passes, carry the ball and contribute in front of goal, while his versatility gives him the option of playing in a number of midfield roles.
הוא הגיע מניגריה, צלח את המבחנים בגביע הטוטו, וכמיטב המסורת יהיה הזר של קבוצת הנוער, קודם כל: https://t.co/YVyPXGgU2Y ברוך הבא, חמזה ✍🏾 pic.twitter.com/TKLTslVxbX
— Hapoel Jerusalem FC (@HapoelJLMfc) August 19, 2026
According to Auwal Kawuwa, one of the coordinators at Mailantarki Care Football Academy, Muhammad’s decision to join Hapoel Jerusalem was driven primarily by sporting considerations rather than financial incentives.
“The club, Hapoel Jerusalem, have been tracking him for a while now and when he turned 18, they signed him,” Kawuwa said. “It was more of a decision made for sporting reasons rather than financial gains. The progress and development of the player were among the major reasons why he decided to go there.”
“We had clubs in Scandinavia who were also interested in him and they had good proposals for him, but in the end, the Israeli team showed us the blueprint of what they wanted for him and how they planned to develop him. Now it is left for him to show what he can do and hopefully grow from there. He needs to play well, adapt to the environment, and give the club a good performance. I am sure he will succeed there.”
For the teenager, the move to Hapoel Jerusalem represents a fresh challenge and an opportunity to continue his football education in a new environment.
