A popular youth football coach and mentor in Ikotun area of Lagos, Taiwo Abiodun Kudus (aka Santos) has revealed some key secrets behind his team’s ability to win this year’s Lann Hydra U13 Cup, Sports247 reports.
‘Santos’ and his boys from Young Tigers Football Academy made history on Saturday, as they shocked the host’s team, Super Accurate FA via penalties shootout to lift the glittering trophy at Ikotun Community Primary School.
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While Young Tigers’ goalkeeper, Olalere Yusuf (aka Muller) was the indisputed man of the match, as he stopped three penalties during the shoot out, ‘Coach Santos’ disclosed that many parents of his players also cobtribute stipends to keep the team going.
He started by revealing that he discovered the highly-promising keeper, who is still a student at Ikotun Secondary School, while he was playing on the streets as a primary four pupil and he has been grooming the agile lad ever since.
The youthful coach, who no wears dreadlocks and said he still hopes to play football as a professional abroad soon, disclosed further in an exclusive chat with Sports247 that his philosophy of life generally is that young people should be able to express more than one talent.
Santos added at length: “I always tell my players that life is not about what you know only but what you can do anywhere you find yourself. You have to know how to do things in many ways and different perspectives of life.
“That’s why I encourage my goalkeeper and all the others to be utility players. I am happy that they are learning fast, and this victory over Super’s boys confirms it.
“We don’t even have a field near our base, so we train in a compound near Lanre Bus Stop. It’s along Ashankulu Street, off Isheri-Igando Road. It’s a small place, but I do give them normal ball work and fitness tactics.
“I also teach them tips on the basics of life. My motto is simply that you can’t succeed brcause of who you are but due to how well you push or struggle to get the result.”
Santos, whose son captained the team to win the cup on Saturday, further stated that he hopes to see all his players excel brilliantly in years to come and that they should easily get things from football that he is still looking for.
“I want to see my boys at a greater height because I have suffered a lot for myself and I’m still on it. I have also suffered for them in terms of stress at trainning, having to go to far distances without transport fare and a lot of other difficult things.
“I believe that, even if I don’t make it to Europe as a player, my boys will make sure that I can still be seen there very soon.
“That’s why I also very much appreciate all their parents. I always tell them that they need to know that football is now business … not child’s play. They are really trying their best to assist me with the team.
“We don’t have a sponsor as people think. So, I give a very big thanks to my players’ parents for the support, prayers and encouragement they give to my boys always.”
He ended by reeling out the names of parents who support him and his players on a daily basis, then prayed that their efforts will not be in vain.
“I extend my respect to Mum Tee, Mum Tade, Daddy Noah (Otunba), Alhaji Bana, Davo, Gulder, Mum Ellembrown, Mum Malik, Mrs Mogaji, Mum Isiah, Mum Isreal, Dad Prince, Mum Wisdom, Mr Oyelumade, Mr Adedeji, Mr Bamidele (Currency), Mum Osimeh and my big boss, Mr Yusuf (Oluwa Lo Next).
“I also hail myself, the father of Taiwo Abdullahi (Messi) and Olalere Yusuf (Muller). I also salute and appreciate my senior players like Lagbo, Pastor, Eku White, Oyakhilome, Maradona, Fashola, Stopper, Adondon and so on.
“I always tell them that, though I’m their coach, I still play football and I hope to travel abroad soon. Tgat’s why I find out time to play for Austin Tigers FC and GODDID Foundation at Akesan,” said the newest champion coach at Ikotun Community Pitch.
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