I Learnt A Lot From Yemi Tella

 Rafiu Alagbe Taiwo is the coach of LSDPC Football Team of Lagos. In this interview with GRASSROOTS SOCCER GUIDE, he spoke on his coaching career and how he met the late Yemi Tella at the defunct Nigerlux FC of Lagos

How long have you been in the coaching job?

I have been in the coaching job since 1985. I started as assistant coach in defunct Nigerlux FC before I moved to LSDPC in 1992. I was opportune to work with the late Yemi Tella when I was in Nigerlux.I learnt a lot from him before the club disbanded.

You have been in LSDPC for 19 years. How is the experience?

It has been a sweet and bitter experience for me. Firstly, I promoted the club from division four to professional league in 1995.The club had turbulent time around 1999, to the extent that some players and I used our personal money to run the club. Some of the players who could not face the challenge left for greener pastures. But today, I thank God that things are getting better.

Can you mention what have you achieved in your coaching career?

I have achieved a lot because some of the players I trained are now playing in European League while others who could not make it to Europe are still playing in the Nigerian League. Don’t forget that Rasak Omotoyossi and Wasiu Oladipupo played under me before playing for Squirrel of Benin Republic, Rasheed Alabi is playing in Cyprus and Segun Omolade is now playing in Italy. There are other players whose names I cannot remember who are playing in the Nigerian league.

How many laurels have you won for the club?

I have won many laurels for the club. I can still remember vividly that I won Oba’s Cup in 1998 when we defeated Flaming Flamingoes 5-2 on penalty shoot-out after one goal apiece at regulation time at Onikan Stadium . I won Manufacturer’s Cup in the previous year. We defeated Ebiede FC 1-0 at Agege Stadium. Recently, the club was promoted from national amateur play-offs to amateur division 111 .These are the achievements I recorded in my coaching career.

Any sad day in your coaching career?

My sad day was the day Yemi Tella died on 20 October, 2007 in Lagos. I cried like a baby because he promised to give me the tactics he used to win Africa Junior Championship in Benin Republic and FIFA U-17 World Cup in Korea in 2007.

How was your relationship with Tella?

Tella was my role model. From the day I was appointed as assistant coach of Nigerlux FC, I learnt a lot from him. He taught me how a coach can win a match without stress. His death was a serious setback for me because he left me untimely.

Are you ready to leave LSDPC in the nearest future?

For now, I am not planning to leave LSDPC but if God says my time has come to move, I will definite move.