Grassroot Footballers

There are a lot of developmental problems in grassroots football in Nigeria right now, and I think it’s something we need to start taking more seriously. The level of intensity, football intelligence and technical quality among young players is worrying. You can watch five different games involving five different teams and still struggle to see any real difference in the level of football. Everyone seems to be playing at the same level, and that individual quality, creativity and wow factor that should make certain players stand out is becoming increasingly difficult to find. We have so many opportunities out there for young Nigerian players, but the uncomfortable truth is that the quality of players coming through isn’t matching the opportunities available. Talent alone is no longer enough. Players need proper development, the right environment and consistent exposure to quality football. For me, one of the biggest things we need to improve is the quality of training at the grassroots level. Training sessions should be designed to develop players, not just keep them busy. There should be more emphasis on technical development, decision-making, game understanding, movement, intensity, positional awareness and the ability to solve problems under pressure. Young players also need to be challenged more. They should be encouraged to express themselves, take responsibility, make decisions and learn from their mistakes. We cannot keep producing players who are only comfortable when everything is going well for them. Football requires intelligence, adaptability and the ability to make things happen in difficult situations. However, a huge part of this responsibility falls on the coaches. Grassroots coaches need to understand that their job goes beyond selecting a team, organising matches and trying to win every weekend. They are responsible for developing the next generation of footballers. That requires continuous learning, improving their coaching methods, understanding modern football and knowing how to identify and develop individual strengths and weaknesses. Coaches must be willing to invest in their own development because you cannot consistently give young players what you don’t have. You need to understand the game at a good level before you can effectively teach it. There should also be more accountability in how young players are being developed and the quality of coaching they receive. We need better coaching education, structured development programmes, competitive environments, proper facilities and regular opportunities for young players to test themselves against different styles and levels of opposition. Most importantly, we need to stop confusing participation with development. Having many young players playing football doesn’t automatically mean we are developing good footballers. If we genuinely want Nigerian grassroots football to improve, everyone involved must take responsibility. The players must be hungry to improve, the coaches must be committed to getting better, and the system must create an environment where real development is the priority. We cannot keep talking about the opportunities available to Nigerian players when we are not doing enough to prepare them for those opportunities.

"Something is seriously missing in today's grassroots football, and after what I witnessed at Onikan Stadium today, I think we need to start having some uncomfortable conversations." I had the opportunity to meet a few guys I grew up playing football with. Interestingly, most of them are now coaches at some of the teams that participated in the programme. We had a lot to discuss, and one thing we all seemed to agree on was that the standard of football knowledge among the younger generation is becoming a serious concern. The reality is that a large number of these young players don’t really understand how to play the game. And you could see the disappointment in the eyes of some of the coaches, especially those who remember how things were in our playing days. We didn’t have many of the opportunities these kids are getting today, yet there seems to be a worrying gap in the level of understanding, intelligence and desire. This problem isn’t limited to a handful of players. It cuts across the vast majority. Even among the few who show some good qualities and understanding of the game, consistency is another major problem. They struggle to sustain that level and build on what they already have. I am a strong believer in grassroots football because I am a product of it. I know what it means to come through that system, and I will forever be grateful that I was among those who got the opportunity to make something out of it. That is why I find it difficult to watch what is happening without speaking about it. I don’t want to be unnecessarily harsh on these young players because I understand that they are still finding their feet and trying to figure out their careers. But at the same time, I cannot pretend everything is fine or lower my expectations just to make them feel comfortable. Honestly, I struggle to see even 50% of the desire, commitment and hunger that should come with an opportunity like this. And I think one of their biggest problems is DISTRACTION. There are too many things competing for their attention, and many of them don’t realise how much it is affecting their development. Football demands discipline, concentration, consistency and a willingness to learn. You cannot expect to develop into a serious footballer when your attention is constantly divided. Having opportunities is one thing; knowing how to make the most of them is another. These kids need to understand that talent alone is not enough. They need to study the game, develop their football intelligence, take their training seriously, work on their individual weaknesses and learn to compete with purpose. The coaches also have a huge responsibility to teach, guide and demand more from these players. Grassroots football should be about developing footballers, not just organising competitions and showcasing young talents. We need to start asking ourselves some serious questions about the kind of players we are producing and what we are doing to improve them. Because if we are not careful, we will continue to have more opportunities than the quality of players available to take advantage of them. And that should worry all of us who genuinely care about the future of grassroots football.