The chairman of Tripple 44 Football Academy, Olatunji Okuku during an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa detailed the strategy behind the rapid influx of his players into Sweden’s Allsvenskan.
The Nigerian academy has built a strong reputation for transferring technical, raw local talent directly to European clubs, and currently boasts at least five graduates playing in the Swedish top flight.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa, Okuku detailed his journey and revealed why he positioned Scandinavia as the primary launchpad for his players.
”I feel incredibly excited and deeply motivated. When I first came into the business and arrived in Ibadan years ago, it was essentially a dead zone for Nigerian football,” Okuku said.
”My goal from the very beginning was to come here and do something unprecedented—and we have successfully achieved that. I am thrilled to have changed that narrative and to be in a position where we are helping so many young boys from Ibadan realize their dreams.”
Choice of Sweden
While many African academies prioritize sales to traditional footballing nations like France or Spain, Okuku explained that cultural integration and direct first-team pathways guided his decision to focus on Sweden.
”My first visit to Europe was to Switzerland in 2017, followed by my first trip to Sweden in 2018. That year, I traveled all over Europe—including France and Spain—to study different football systems. Through that journey, I realized that Scandinavia is one of the most welcoming regions for an African player,” he said.
”Nearly 99% of people in Sweden speak English. If you take an inexperienced player to France, Spain, or the Czech Republic, the language barrier can be immense. It wasn’t a matter of lacking connections elsewhere; I simply wasn’t trying to sell players just for the sake of making a sale.”
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”I wanted them to succeed long-term. To achieve that, you have to place them in the right environment. For a player’s crucial first step abroad, a supportive and friendly atmosphere is vital. During my 2018 trip, I met with numerous Swedish clubs and realized how wonderful the people are. That is exactly why Sweden has become a second home for Tripple 44.”
Breaking historical barriers
The academy’s progress was highlighted in May when graduates Ibrahim Adewale and Ozor Okeke faced each other in a Swedish top-flight fixture.
”Historically, look at the last two decades in Ibadan. Great players like Mutiu Adepoju, Olarenwaju Kayode, Afeez Aremu, and more recently, Akinkunmi Amoo, all had to leave Ibadan. They had to go to academies in Lagos or Ghana just to get a chance at European football,” Okuku noted.
”To break that cycle, build an academy directly in Ibadan, and export talent straight to Europe is something I am incredibly proud of. Back in 2018, I never imagined that by 2026 we would have five or six players in Sweden. Seeing Ibrahim Adewale—who was with Tripple 44 for nearly seven years—face off against Ozor Okeke of IF Elfsborg, is a proud moment. I credit that success to our methodology at Tripple 44 and our intense focus on both player and character development.”
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Olowoporoku set for dream move
The academy looks set to sanction another European transfer in the coming days, with highly-rated midfielder Ifeoluwa Olowoporoku closing in on a dream move amid interest from top clubs, including IFK Göteborg.
Olowoporoku’s imminent transfer marks a major milestone for the player, who originally started his journey at the academy at U-13 level alongside 25 other aspiring youngsters. Having progressed through the ranks to become a Nigeria U-17 international, he is now on the verge of securing his breakthrough abroad.
Providing an update on the negotiation process, Okuku said:
”Ifeoluwa Olowoporoku is a phenomenal talent with massive potential, and we are very proud of his development. We are currently in advanced talks with several clubs in Sweden and other places. While we want to keep the details confidential for now, he will be making his move very soon.”
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