19th August, 2010
Lukman Bakare, the Team Manager of Oshodi football team that just won the Under 15 Akani Olohunwa Cup, spoke with Grassroot Soccer Guide about how his team defeated Surulere football team 14-13 in the marathon penalty after 2-2 draw in the regulation time
Oshodi football team have made history to win the first Under 15 Akani Olohunwa Cup, how do you feel about this historic victory?
It calls for celebration because nobody gave us chance when the competition kicked off three month ago at the Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island.
How do you rate the performance of your team?
My boys played well. They were in the control of the game in the first half but in the second half, they lost concentration which gave our opponents equaliser and took the encounter to penalty shootout.
What was in your mind during the penalty shootout?
After the referee blew the final whistle, I was a little bit nervous because penalty shootout is anybody’s game. To be honest with you, I was under pressure but I thank God that we came out victorious at the end of the day.
Many people said Oshodi did not deserve the victory, how would you react to this ?
I don’t agree with that. Oshodi prepared well for the championship and we worked hard throughout the competition. Surulere are equally a good side but the better side won the game.
Can we say that winning the Olohunwa Cup is your greatest achievement in your managerial career?
If you say so, you are correct because I have won many laurels in the past but Olohunwa Cup made me popular.
Why did you say Olohunwa made you popular ?
Immediately after the match, I received more than 200 congratulatory calls and messages. I don’t know most of the people I received their text messages and I thank God that people really appreciated my effort. This is to tell you that whatever one is doing, one should do it well.
Would you be able to defend the title in the next edition?
I can not say anything now because I am still in celebration mood. I want to thank our sponsor, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as Olu –Omo of Oshodi, for his support throughout the competition. I also want to thank my coaching crew led by Saheed Adeyinka for their commitment to the team since the competition started some months ago.