Stephen Makinwa begins new phase of player representation with Serbia transfers

Former Super Eagles striker Stephen Ayodele Makinwa has begun a new chapter in his 12-year career as a FIFA-licensed agent after completing deals to take Nigerian youngsters Jimoh Yusuf and Fawaz Agboluaje to Serbia.

The pair have joined GFK Dubocica Leskovac, marking a shift for the 43-year-old, who previously focused mainly on senior internationals and a small number of Nigeria’s age-grade players. He now intends to develop youth talent and use Serbia as a route for young Africans entering professional football in Europe.

Makinwa, who represents mostly Nigerian players through his Makoz Group agency, also arranged the move of Daniel Aghaowa Agboghidi, an Ojudu FC of Lagos product, to FK IMT Belgrade.

The former striker played for 10 Italian clubs in quick succession at the height of his career, as well as clubs in Greece, China and Slovenia. Among the senior internationals he has represented or helped move to European clubs are Eddie Ogenyi Onazi, Simeon ‘Simy’ Nwankwo, Blessing Eleke, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Uche Agbo and former Nigeria Under-20 left-back Stanley Amuzie.

Onazi enjoyed a successful spell at SS Lazio before moving to Trabzonspor and FK Zalgiris.

Makinwa’s first agency deal involved fellow Nigerian Grassroots Football Federation project player Ezekiel Henry, known as Henty. After reuniting with him at NK Gorica in Slovenia, Makinwa entered player management in 2014.

He later helped Henty move to Slovan Bratislava, Locomotiv Moscow and Videoton, among other clubs. Henty had previously been a trainee at AC Milan.

Other players under the Makoz Group banner include Mathias Oyewusi, who played for NK Gorica and FK Zalgiris; Joshua Akpudje, who featured for FK Panevezys and FK Jablonec; and 2007 FIFA U17 World Cup-winning captain Musa Muhammad, who played for FK Sarajevo.

Makinwa has also been involved with Johan Nkama, Meshack Ubochioma, Jude Madaki, Muhammad Abdulkadir and former youth international Seth Sincere. Oyewusi is now a centre-forward at Raja Club Athletic, Nkama plays as a defensive midfielder for FC Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy and Ubochioma is an outside right winger at FK Gabala. Madaki is an attacking midfielder at Zalaegerszegi TE, while Abdulkadir is a centre-forward at Polissya Zhytomyr U21.

He recently took Henty to Hapoel Rishon leZion and Musa Muhammad to Coton Sport FC. On Sunday, Makinwa also completed a senior move for former Super Eagles invitee Uche Henry Agbo.

During a visit to Agboghidi’s club in Belgrade, he wrote on social media: “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.”

Makinwa grew up in Lawanson, Lagos, with his mother and younger brother Akinola. In 1999, he abandoned a guaranteed place at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to pursue a proposed move to Jomo Cosmos FC of South Africa. Although that deal, brokered by journalist Mark Ogagan, failed, Barrister Churchill Oliseh signed him for FC Ebedie and transferred him to Regianna in 2000.

Makinwa scored on his Super Eagles debut against South Africa in the 2004 Nelson Mandela Challenge, won bronze at AFCON 2006 and scored two goals in 14 international appearances.