In the vibrant world of Nigerian football, a young coach, Edward Green, is making waves with his innovative approach and passion for the game, Soccernet.ng reports.
Growing up in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, he was driven by a love for giving back and a passion for sharing his insights with others, eager to learn and improve.
In his words, he always loved football. Still, his mode of expression was arranging players rather than kicking a ball, enjoying the entertainment of the beautiful game from the sidelines, viewing it through another lens.
“I love to give back and share my insights and experiences with others who are eager to learn and improve. As a coach, you can constantly challenge yourself and your athletes to reach new levels of performance and potential,” the 30-year-old said when quizzed about what drew him into coaching.
Coaching is no easy task. Described by Peter Drury as having all the power to steer a team to victory yet having none to make an on-field influence. Coach Green revealed some of his struggles to be accepted by his team.
“Acceptance was a significant challenge initially. Convincing players to believe in him was no easy task. I overcame this by constantly working on myself and improving daily,” he revealed
He kickstarted his professional journey with Ikot Ekpene at the Governor’s Cup in 2017, leading them to triumph in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom.
Afterwards, Coach Green guided the Akwa United U-15 side to the knockout stages of various editions of the La Liga Championship, reaching the quarter and semi-finals.
Green’s Playing style
Coach Green’s philosophy is built on effort and team cohesion. His values of undiluted effort and perseverance are mirrored in his approach to coaching.
“High performance relies on team cohesion and everyone being a team player. I strive to build a culture of unity, where everyone understands and embraces their role within the bigger team picture,” he explains.
He motivates his team by setting goals, encouraging teamwork, creating feedback channels, demanding success regardless of size, and fostering a supportive environment.
His pride in player development shines through as he recounts the success stories of Daniel Mendy, Peter Asuquo, Nsikak Aloysius, and others who have risen through the ranks under his guidance. The coach has worked his way up, bagging a UEFA-C license whilst looking to add to his certifications.
“Daniel Mendy was with me at Akwa U15 two years ago when he was 14-years-old and sometime this year he represented the Nigeria U-17 at Ghana.”
The former Akwa United assistant coach draws inspiration from two-time UEFA Champions League finalist, Diego Pablo Simeone González, whose defensive prowess and tactical acumen have heavily influenced his coaching style.
“I love it when my team is compact, making it very hard to concede. Beyond that, the way his team plays is a reflection of his character. He harnesses their strengths and weaknesses and makes all of them work, it’s why they play their lives out on the pitch.” he notes.
Challenges
Coaching in Nigeria comes with its own set of challenges, and the young coach highlighted poor facilities, limited visibility, and inadequate funding as the major setbacks for aspiring coaches in the country. However, he points out that talent is abundant.
“In Nigeria, we don’t look for talent because we have them abundantly in our streets. Every child is born with his or her natural instinct to play football. Yet, the future of Nigerian football, especially in terms of youth development, looks bleak. The motivation at the apex is very low,” he laments, highlighting the exodus of players seeking better opportunities abroad.
The former Sporting Lagos assistant coach also revealed that the absence of modern technology in the coaching setup in the country has set them apart a few years back.
“With the help of trackers, you can monitor and evaluate your player’s performance and know when to increase the intensity and when to rest, although only a few teams in the league utilize such technology. We can’t do as much with what we have.”
Education
Coach Green studied Hospitality management and tourism at Michael Okpara University and is currently pursuing a second degree in Public Health at Miva University.
However, his pursuit of knowledge hasn’t stopped him from coaching. Instead, he believes education is pivotal for athletes. Citing examples like Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen, he illustrates how different backgrounds and educational experiences shape players’ responses to criticism and challenges.
“I encourage everyone to have a feel of education as it helps shape how we react to issues. Alex Iwobi grew up in the UK, and after the AFCON, he was lashed out at and didn’t say a word. Osimhen, on the other hand, lashed out at Finidi George after a feud, highlighting the difference between their backgrounds. Here in Lagos, We have two players at Sporting currently doing their B.Sc. We gave them all the support they needed,” he adds.
Sporting Lagos
Reflecting on his six professional years in coaching, he recalls winning the league with Akwa United as his most rewarding moment. Handling setbacks with a “we try again” attitude, he advises aspiring coaches to trust in their abilities, learn from the best, and remain steadfast in their goals.
After a successful stint with Akwa United, Edward Green joined the newly promoted NPFL side, Sporting Lagos, describing it as a career-defining move facilitated by a call from Coach Paul Offor, whom he describes as a great motivator and a friend.
“It was the best move of my career. I wanted to test myself against the high waters, and I have no regrets whatsoever.”
In April, Coach Paul, alongside Coach Green and the entire technical crew in Sporting Lagos, were sacked, and despite the toughness, the young gaffer was glad to bank on his family for support.
“I’m grateful for my family. They’ve always been very supportive. It was tough, but they made it easier. Life after Sporting makes me miss the turf. I miss the boys giving their all, and I miss football.”
Coach Green’s favourite memory with Sporting Lagos was their 4-1 victory over Remo Stars in the South West derby at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, as the tech boys hit a milestone at home, scoring four goals for the first-ever time in the NPFL.
Looking Ahead
Coach Green aims to further his UEFA license as he believes certifications are key in coaching. Alongside, he wants to continue scouting and nurturing talent, with the ultimate dream of leading a team to AFCON and the World Cup.
“My legacy will be simple, that I am a man of integrity and a purpose-driven coach. I love African football, especially the Tanzanian league because it is a growing league, I love young Africans, and I hope to work there someday to nurture talents for the world to see. My dream as a coach will be halfway fulfilled if I can lead an African team to the AFCON triumph, and a World Cup victory would mean I’ve achieved everything I was made for,” the coach concluded.
While he yearns for a return to coaching, This young coach’s journey from the local streets to professional football inspires and sheds light on the potential and challenges of football in Nigeria.
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