Quick Facts
Biography
Babatunde Gwandoya has been a Nigerian football agent since 1993. During his career, he has managed some of the largest stars of African football, including Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Jay-Jay Okocha.
During the 2012/13 season Gwandoya took a hiatus to help with the restructuring of the Nigerian football leagues. In January 2016 it was suspected Gwandoya was working with attacking midfielder Uche Henry Agbo a rising star within Nigerian football. Gwandoya released a statement in February 2016 linking Uche Henry Agbo with Premier League clubs.
Career
Beginnings
Gwandoya grew up in Lagos and after leaving school worked as a sports teacher for a local college within the suburbs. He began his career as a football agent working from his basement with a couple of clients from 36 Lions FC (a local club). He managed to sanction a number of deals from the 3rd tier club to the highest tier of Nigerian football, making a small profit in the process. Gwandoya over time slowly built a relationship with some of the stars of the Nigerian Premiership including Jay Jay Okocha (who at the time was with Enugu Rangers) and get them deals with European clubs.
Present
Presently, Gwandoya has left his mark on African football. He currently has 57 players listed as his clients, and they play all over the world. Every single player signed to his agency is of African descent, but play in some of Europe's top leagues, as well as in South America and their native homelands in Africa.
Shortlist of player's contracted to Gwandoya
- Salomon Kalou
- Katlego Mphela
- Sol Bamba
- Jay Jay Okocha
- Peter Odemwingie
- Steven Pienaar
- Siphiwe Tshabalala
- Uche Henry Agbo
- Jones, David. "Okocha's move to mainland Europe through Enugu Rovers", Football Team Players, 23 October 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-18.