Oluwole Benjamin, the captain of Satech FC and a midfielder, shared his perspective on the recent match between Satech FC and Nakamura FC during an interview with Sports 247.
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The encounter, part of the ongoing OWO UNITY CUP tournament, concluded with Nakamura FC emerging victorious in a penalty shootout on Tuesday.
Benjamin acknowledged the outcome, stating, “It’s not a bad one. In football, either you win or lose.” He further analyzed the game, noting that despite having numerous chances, Satech FC struggled to convert them into goals.
Despite the loss, he emphasized that this is an inherent aspect of football and that the team is already looking ahead to their next match on Friday, once again against Nakamura FC in another competition.
Having been a part of Satech FC for over 15 years, Benjamin’s extensive experience extends to playing for various teams, both nationally and internationally.
He has showcased his talent with teams such as Shooting Stars, Sunshine FC, and First Bank FC. Additionally, he has received invitations for under-23 and under-20 trials abroad.
Reflecting on grassroots football, Benjamin expressed his belief that it serves as a vital platform for discovering talented players.
He highlighted that talent identification shouldn’t solely rely on scouting from leagues but should also prioritize grassroots efforts.
Oluwole Benjamin noted, “For our football to grow in Nigeria, one thing is that we are always sentimental in Nigerian football.
If you don’t have a sponsor or godfather, you cannot move ahead and it is not like this in other countries.” He pointed out that in some African countries, player selection is based on merit, which contributes to their growth.
He encouraged grassroots coaches to continue their valuable work with players, emphasizing that their efforts will ultimately yield breakthroughs.
Oluwole Benjamin’s insights underscore the importance of grassroots football in nurturing talent and ensuring equitable opportunities for aspiring players in Nigeria’s football landscape.
