Coach Jide Oguntuase, a former international footballer, embarked on his coaching journey in 2007 with FC Gazimba in Ikorodu.
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Since then, he has dedicated himself to nurturing the talents of young footballers. He served as an assistant coach for Lagos State during the national sports festival and has spent seven years coaching both male and female teams at Lagos State Polytechnic, now known as Lagos State University of Science and Technology.
Additionally, he has contributed his coaching expertise to Joy Comet FC, an NNL team.
In an exclusive interview with Sports 247, Coach Oguntuase shared his coaching odyssey, beginning with his passion for the beautiful game. “It has been nice because it is what I have the flair for. It is what I love to do.
Instead of me going for the management course, I prefer doing the coaching because I have learned lots of coaching experience from my coach James Peters. Tunde Dissu, Sebastian Bodericks, and others. I have learned a lot of training from them.
In fact, I have been a coach even before I started coaching. As a player, I have been coaching.”
He shed more light on his coaching experience: “I played at Osun United when I was ending my career, I was an assistant coach. That was in 1999 after I left Katsina United.”
Coach Oguntuase’s commitment to advancing his coaching skills led him to the National Institute for Sports (NIS), where he pursued an advanced coaching course.
Armed with a CAF-C coaching license and a diploma in Coerver Coaching, he acknowledges the importance of an NIS certificate in Nigeria’s coaching landscape. He initially completed his basic coaching course in 2004 and 2007.
Reflecting on his coaching journey, Coach Oguntuase expressed his deep passion for the sport. He has drawn inspiration from prominent coaches such as James Peters, Tunde Dissu, Sebastian Bodericks, and others, who have significantly influenced his coaching style. Even during his playing days, Coach Oguntuase exhibited coaching qualities.
Throughout his career, Coach Oguntuase seamlessly transitioned from player to assistant coach, a journey that took him to Osun United in 1999. However, despite holding a CAF-C coaching license, he acknowledges that continuous learning is essential in the coaching profession. In Nigeria, connections and visibility often play crucial roles in career progression.
Coach Oguntuase emphasized the need for grassroots football development. He pointed out that many aspiring players lack a solid understanding of the game’s fundamentals. Players often prioritize moving abroad without mastering the basics, hindering their potential success.
Regarding his future plans, Coach Oguntuase aspires to secure a coaching role that allows him to showcase his skills and knowledge. His ultimate goal is to contribute to the growth and development of football in Nigeria, ensuring that young talents receive proper coaching and guidance.
Coach Jide Oguntuase’s journey exemplifies the passion and dedication required to make an impact in football coaching. His commitment to continuous learning and grassroots development reflects his unwavering love for the sport and his desire to nurture the next generation of football stars in Nigeria.
