At COPA Coca-Cola, Nwosu rallies support for grassroots football

Henry Nwosu holds the record of being the youngest ever Nigerian player in the African Nations Cup. Nwosu’s talent was never in doubt from a young age as he began making waves while in secondary school, where he became a football superstar. The former assistant coach at the 2002 World Cup and 2008 Beijing Olympics was picked straight out of St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos, to play for the national team while he was not even 17 years old.

He is among a select few to have played in three different AFCON finals. Despite his small frame, Nwosu, as a footballer, offered a leg full of magic tricks and reaped a blissful football career, which has since become the dream of every young footballer.

The former international and Nigerian football legend is currently coaching Under-15 students at the on-going Copa Coca-Cola competition, which ends today at the National Stadium, Lagos. Fielding questions from journalists during the South South Copa Coca-Cola play-off in Port Harcourt, Nwosu shares his experiences in the game and why he is so passionate about grassroots football. Excerpts:

Early childhood.
Growing up in Surulere, I played as a three-year-old toddler kicking the popular felele ball all around my neigbourhood. After my basic education, I got admitted to the famous St. Finbarr’s Secondary School, where I met a crop of talented players, including the legendary former Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi.

Although I started playing football from the age of three on my streets, I was severally discouraged by my parents. They wanted me to read my books, wash plates, and clean my room. One time, as a 13-year-old and still living in Surulere, I was playing in the finals of a football match competition. My team was leading by 1-0 and I was about to pass the football when I sighted my brother at a distance looking directly at me. I did not know that my elder brother had been in the crowd watching me all the while. I was so scared; I ran off the pitch and out of the football arena. As soon I as ran out, my brother called out to the officials and requested that they pursue me, bring me back, and tell me to complete the game.

By the time the game’s officials caught up with me I had run about two blocks away from the match and was on my way home. Eventually, they convinced me to return to the football field. My brother was waiting for me and as I got there, he held my shoulders and confessed that he had been watching me from the beginning of the competition. According to him, he never ratted me out because I was so disciplined, that anytime I finished playing a match, I ran home immediately and even always got home before he did. Even though I was still scared, I was happy and encouraged to know he cared so much that he never missed any of my previous matches. That singular moment gave me the confidence to continue playing football, and from then on, whenever I played a game and we got back home, he would always tell me my faults.

Why are you so passionate about grassroots football?
I am passionate about grassroots football because I started out exactly like some of these teens. I sneaked out of home most afternoons just to play football because I was that passionate about it. My parents eventually decided to let me play football as long as I focused intently on my education and put in my best. I want these teens to know that many doctors, lawyers, and military officials have managed to successfully play football and still excel in their education and jobs. If you want to play football, by all means play, but do not let your education suffer. I want these teens to grow in football and their education. I want them to realize that playing football does not make you a dullard. It is very possible to concentrate on your studies and football at the same time.

What is your motivation in being an ex-international participating in the Copa Coca-Cola competition?
I care deeply about the Copa Coca-Cola coaching clinics because it is one way amongst many, that Coca-Cola is encouraging our youths to leave the streets and be worthy ambassadors of this country and their families. Through the Copa Coca-Cola competition, I believe we can, as a nation, encourage grassroots football. It will help us in grooming our stars of tomorrow, today.

Also, as it is, Copa Coca-Cola is the largest brand-supported grassroots football tournament in the world, played in over 60 countries by 1.3 million teenage players, with the aim of inspiring young people to be active and healthy through their shared passion for the sport. So, it gives me joy to see Nigerian children involved in it.