The coach of Valiant FC of Lagos, Owolabi Mustapha has taken time out from his team’s outings in Nationwide League One (NLO) to declare his desire to get a Nigerian national team job.
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Although Coach Mustapha admitted he is enjoying the task of grooming youngsters to compete in the NLO, where he is now in his third season with Valiant FC, he confessed that no ambitious tactician would give up the opportunity of a national team appointment.
He also reflected on his team’s 1-0 loss to Real Sapphire FC on Friday, and, despite their loss, Coach Mustapha hailed the performance of his players.
The youthful tactician explained that he has to be proud of his players because they are young, but have been able to hold their own against older opponents.
Valiant FC are currently fourth on the log of Lagos zone one in the NLO, with 12 points from eight matches, thus making Mustapha filled with satisfaction in the developmental strides that he is achieving with his players.
He stated, “I’m really excited with the fact that our boys are getting it right now. They are competing against older players. It gives them the advantage to be one step ahead in terms of the game understanding.
“We played against a very good side, and they were physically superior, but we were able to express ourselves. We played better than them but, unfortunately, we lost.
“We are not discouraged, and we are moving to a stage where more agents will be there to assess our players in a positive way. That’s the major thing.
“We want to extend the opportunity for them to play outside Nigeria. Europe is the goal for them, to play in a better football environment, and they are showing the zeal.
“They are showing the energy and the right understanding of the game. That’s the most positive thing we got from this match. It’s not all about the result. Our boys are younger, and they are competing favourably against older players.”
Coach Mustapha then went on to speak about his personal strides in the round leather game and reckoned that he has paid his dues in the tact of grooming budding talents from scratch.
“This is my third NLO season with Valiant FC. It’s always an opportunity for me to show what I know how to do best. From the TCC, coming back to the NLO is an avenue to make progress, and I believe, if this type of platform is not available, it would not be easy for we the younger coaches to showcase what we have to the world.
“The most important thing is what I’m pursuing now … for me to make a positive impact on the younger ones. I did not have the opportunity to actually play the game. I was not that good as a player, but I know what it takes to mould and build young ones to play the game to the highest level,” Mustapha retorted.
He concluded with an affirmation of his biggest ambition and aspirations for the future, adding: “It is a dream of any coach to take up a national team job on any podium and to any tournament.
“I have somebody that’s a mentor and is already in the national team. I believe that, since he has already created a platform, it is an avenue for me personally to step through.
“I believe anything can happen for me in the nearest future, and I will definitely accept the offer; to make a positive impact and change the narrative of Nigeria’s football developement.”
