Legit Footer Football Academy coach Musa Osilama has praised the resilience, persistence and determination of his players after their remarkable journey from “best loser” status to champions of the Late Major R. A. Owolabi Football Competition.
READ ALSO: “We Moved From Best Loser to Champions” — Aphoun Revels in Legit Footers’ Historic Triumph
Legit Footer endured a difficult start to the tournament, suffering a 4-1 defeat in their opening game before losing 2-0 in their second group fixture. With their hopes of progression hanging by a thread, the team managed a 1-1 draw in their final group match to eventually qualify as the best loser.
Speaking in an exclusive SPORTS247 interview at the final, Osilama said the team’s journey reminded him of Portugal’s remarkable run to the UEFA Euro 2016 title.
“I am very excited and impressed with my players. I admire the resilience, persistence and determination of the team in general. We never gave up throughout the competition,” Osilama said.
According to him, the players had almost accepted elimination after the group stage before learning that there was still a route into the knockout phase.
“We were almost on our way out because we thought it was over. However, we asked the organisers if there was any hope of qualification, and their response was positive. After all the group-stage matches were played, we qualified as the best loser.”
Once given a second chance, Legit Footer transformed their fortunes, defeating their quarter-final opponents 2-1 before recording a 2-0 victory in the semi-final.
They completed the extraordinary turnaround in the final, edging Okeola Concord Football Club 1-0 to lift the trophy.
For Osilama, the experience offers more than just a footballing lesson. He believes the players can take the same mentality into their lives and future careers.
“It is a very good lesson. Football defines life because everything about the sport is about life. It has taught the players never to give up in life or in football until the final whistle,” he explained.
The coach also disclosed that the tournament represented the first camping programme for the academy’s U10 team, making the triumph even more significant.
“For the U-10, this is their first camping programme, and they have come out victorious. We hope for better things going forward for Legit Footer players at large,” he said.
Osilama revealed that Legit Footer Football Academy is based around the Egbeda axis, near the Air Force Base in Lagos State. The academy caters for young players from U5 through U17, with a pathway extending from U17 to the first team.
“We have categories spanning from U-5 to U-17, and from U-17 to the first team. This is our programme at Legit Footer,” he concluded.
