Grassroots football coach Oviawe Henry Eniola has emphasised the importance of continuous professional development in modern football, declaring his ambition to attain the highest coaching qualification offered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Eniola made this known during an exclusive interview with Sports247 at the ongoing CAF D Licence Coaching Course held at Agro Terra Resort, Joga-Orile, in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The coaching development programme has brought together 40 participants seeking to improve their technical knowledge, coaching methods and understanding of modern football.
Speaking on his motivation for enrolling in the programme, Eniola explained that football coaching requires continuous learning because techniques, tactical approaches and player development methods are constantly evolving.
“My motivation stems from the fact that knowledge becomes obsolete if not upgraded after a few years,” he told Sports247.
“Moreover, as a coach who loves discovering and developing young talents, it behoves me to keep developing myself with the latest trends in the modern game.”
His remarks highlight the importance of coaches remaining informed about changes in football, particularly at the grassroots level, where the foundation of players’ development is established.
Reflecting on his experience at the programme, Eniola acknowledged that the training has exposed him to a broader understanding of contemporary coaching practices.
“This licence course has broadened my knowledge of what is operating on the global scene,” he explained.
For the grassroots coach, the knowledge acquired represents an opportunity to improve his approach to identifying and nurturing young footballers.
The CAF D Licence serves as an entry-level qualification within CAF’s coaching education framework, providing participants with foundational knowledge for developing players and organising training sessions.
Eniola believes professional education remains essential for coaches who want to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive football environment.
Looking beyond the current programme, the ambitious coach revealed that obtaining the CAF D Licence is only the beginning of his professional development journey.
“I shall try my best to go all the way to get the highest coaching licence in the profession under CAF,” he declared.
His ambition reflects a determination to combine practical grassroots coaching experience with internationally recognised professional qualifications.
As the CAF D Licence course continues in Ogun State, Eniola’s message reinforces a central principle of modern coaching: developing future football stars begins with coaches who are equally committed to developing themselves.
