A product of the once formidable and highly acclaimed youth football development initiatives of The British Council in Lagos, Jamiu Mohammed Isah has set a target for himself to be in the next coaching crew of Nigeria’s under-17 national team, Sports247 reports.
The fast-rising tactician, who was a central defender during his active days, and played in England for some years, enthused that his track records make him a good option for the Golden Eaglets’ crew.
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While affirming that he has discovered, groomed and promoted many talented youngsters from grassroots level to various league clubs and national teams in the country, Isah is equally flaunting his achievements with a long list of teams that he has worked with.
Among them are Dominion Hotspur of Lagos, from where he moved to clubs in Ilorin, Kwara State and Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, but is now back creating waves in Lagos.
He disclosed in an exclusive chat with Sports247: “I’m currently in Lagos coaching a semi-pro youth team with good marketing value. Our aims and objectives are developing technical, tactical, mental and physical proficiency in young players under our supervision.
“We have different departments in the team, among which are network of scouts, football marketing agents, medical unit and technical crew.
“They all combine well to increase productivity of the team and improve a very high standard. We want them to give top level of performances for us.
“This we gain through a conducive and vibrant developmental environment that we are trying to create for the players.”
Though he is now very active in Nigeria’s lower league sector, the former captain of National Grassroots Dream Team’s junior squad and pioneer member of The British Council’s former youth project, Community Action Through Sport (CATS), disclosed that he is still very much involved in mentorship of hidden talents and students.
Isah, who earlier worked as a participant, trainee and instructor in lofty ventures like Premier Skils, Cowbell Football Academy, Help The Talent Project (HTTP) as well as Dreams & Teams, added that he now uses technology to promote academic aspects in youth football development.
He disclosed further, “I have created a platform where I share coaching resources, books and podcast for grassroots development coaches to support their learning. This also helps their growth in the modern way of developing technical and tactical skills of players.
“We’ve also got initiatives where coaches meet physically to discuss the way forward for better development of football and sharing of ideas; especially in terms of knowledge about the game from the past.
“We also vigorously and extensively study the game as it is played in the present and equally anticipate what it will be like in the future.
“We have responsibilities to survive with limited resources in our care and to innovate new ideas to optimize the performances of players.”
Isah, who many of his players, fans, fellow-coaches and associates call ‘The Future One,’ outlined steps he is planning and the ones he has already set in motion towards ensuring that he soon becomes a youth national team coach.
“I still want to acquire more knowledge through advanced coaching courses for CAF and UEFA licenses.
“It requires lots of financial commitment to attain those heights but, with God, I believe it is possible. I can also achieve it through the support of individuals like family and friends.
“It’s highly essential for me as a coach to also keep developing through learning from colleagues, reading books, listening to podcasts, and observing experts through practical sessions as well as proper management of players.
“We must take note of the environment of each player and guide them through leadership skills that we can apply for young people under our supervision.”
He concluded by stating his ambition to one day be in the Golden Eaglets’ coaching and rapidly grow to take full charge of the Nigerian under-17 squad, as he wants to practicalise on a higher scale what he has learnt over the years as a player, instructor and coach.
“Coaching a pro-team and national team is my biggest desire. I believe I’m qualified to step up, after spending a decade developing players at the grassroots and with track records of my products progressing to NNL and NPFL clubs, as well as the U17, U20, home-based Eagles and Super Eagles.
“I also have players who are now featuring in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and in various European clubs. With all of these achievements, I believe that I’m so much capable of achieving something great with a progressive and forward-thinking team,” Isah enthused
