The Cypriot football "diamonds"

Ελληνική έκδοση/Greek Version: Click Here

Looking at the matter of coaching young talents in Cyprus, unfortunately we are quite behind compared to other European countries in regard to the coaching techniques and facilities for the sport. This is one of the main reasons for the mass exodus of young Cypriot footballers abroad in search of better conditions. According to foreign reports, Cyprus is the first country in Europe in the participation of foreign players in the league, with 70% foreign players (the average is 34% in the European Championships).

The exodus of young players started a few years ago when Cyprus joined the European Union. This gave the right to European footballers to join the Cypriot football league without restrictions (before it was 3 foreign players for each team - remember Raoufman, Gogic, Vesko Mihajlovic, Milenko Spoliarits etc.). The new rule of free movement of EU also gave the right for Cypriots to play in European leagues without restrictions of nationality. Some of them stand out in resilient leagues throughout Europe.

Nicholas Ioannou (16 years) - Manchester United

A main example is Nicholas, son of Dimitris Ioannou, a past legend of Anorthosis Famagusta and Cyprus National Team. From 11 years old, Nicholas is part of the academy of the famous Manchester United and will sign a 2-year scholarship contract in summer. Remarkable is the fact that only at 16 years of age, he got the chance to play with the Under-18s in front of Sir Alex Ferguson. The conclusion in this case of the colossus Nick is that Cypriot players are talented and if you train them in the right infrastructure and under the right guidance, then they can reach high levels of footballing ability. Future is golden for this youth player.

Nikos Yennaris (18 years) - Arsenal FC

This talented player is the son of a Cypriot father and started his football education in the academies of Arsenal from an early age. He made his debut in the English Premier League match against Manchester United on the 22/01/2012. He impressed not only Arsene Wenger, but many British journalists who proposed for him to start in the next match against Aston Villa. Yennaris played for the youth national teams of England (because of a British passport) but has the right to play for the national team of Cyprus. Remarkably, however, his father spoke to a Cypriot radio station and said that he has not received any call from the national team of Cyprus. [sarcasm]Is this Arsenal player not enough for the Cypriot National Team?[/sarcasm]

Andros Townsend (20 years) - Tottenham Hotspur (on loan to Leeds United)

A Cypriot born and raised in the UK as the name is giving away, a talented footballer who is an asset of Tottenham since the age of 9. After the experience-loans at Millwall, Ipswich and Watford (English Championship teams), he returned to Tottenham in the summer of 2011. He made his debut at 19 years of age against Charlton in the FA Cup scoring with a powerful shot outside the area (Click here to watch). He continued making appearances for Tottenham at the Europa League scoring once and giving three assists. From January 1st, 2012 he was transferred on loan to Leeds United and has a contract with Tottenham until 2016. He has also featured at the youth National teams of England with a total of 15 appearances. Unfortunately, another talent that goes unnoticed by the National team of Cyprus...

Worth noting is the fact that George Ephraim who is playing for Omonoia Nicosia and is a 'product' of the academies of Arsenal and we all see on the results on the field as many consider him the best player of Omonoia. There are more like these talented players who have more than enough potential to star in the Cypriot league and why not in other European leagues. Unfortunately, the Cypriot teams want ready "products" and have no will or even not adequate coaching knowledge and facilities to prepare the young talents and give them first-team opportunities. This narrow way of thinking must change urgently or we will end up changing the name of the Cyprus Marfin Laiki League in World Championships.. My personal advice to young talented footballers is “leave from Cyprus as soon as you can!”

George Kakourides - gkakourides@yahoo.com

• BA in Sports Management 

• Level 2 Award in Coaching Football (London Football Association)

• Youth Coaching Award - Module 1: Developing the environment (London Football Association)

• Community Development Coach at Arsenal FC

• Event organiser of Cyprus Football Camp Official website

Follow me on twitter: @SirGeorge22