Former Technical Director, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Technical Director of Lagos Junior League (J-League), Tunde Disu, is an experienced Coach and Technical Director on the round leather game.
With his pedigree in the game, he can be described as one of those who “have seen it all”
Disu, still fully contributing his quota to the game but more technically shares his experience as player, and Coach with our own Tayo Adaranijo in South Africa.
Here are excerpts from the interesting interview with Nigeria’s long standing Football Tunde Disu. Enjoy it.
Trumpet: Good Day Coach, how has it been generally Sir?
Coach: Let’s give glory to Almighty God and thank Him for His mercy to all living souls. When there is life, there is hope.
Trumpet: Could you please tell us something about your experiences?
Coach: I played football along with education to a higher level before I became a professional Coach. From my primary school days at Saint Paul Catholic school, Winter Netta under the tutelage of Late Father Slatery, I monitored my seniors playing football. I could not join them because I had unacceptable stature.
Besides that, I was made a mascot. That made me to develop more interest in the game. My mates decided to form a football club named 7 brothers and we played at Olonla playing field and Evans square Ebute Metta. I was a popular and talented
Footballer. Everybody wanted to see me because of my dynamite left foot. Then, late Haruna Ilerika and I, both played for the same club in Evans Square. People enjoyed us playing together. We were both left footers. Our secondary school separated us. I attended Ahmadiyya College and he went to Zumuratu Secondary School.
At Ahmadiyya College Agege, I captained the College to win the Principal’s Cup beating Kings College (2-1). Our fans were highly happy to the extend that they carried me shoulder high from Onikan Stadium round Tafawa Balewa Square to Kings College, shouting: O fi ege pa won o, Disu (Disu finished them with dribbling). My team mates in that match were: Okundaye, Dr. Sikiru Lawal, late Tajudeen Oyekan, Chairman Monday Sarumi, General, Olanrewaju Rtd., (Nigeria’s one-time Minister of Communication), ENE, late Waheed Omolade, Otunba Wasiu Odofin, Evangelist Muyiwa Oshode, Tunde Disu (OFR) and late Olowo Oshodi. That was a fantastic team that can beat any team any day.
After my Secondary School, I joined ECN, Nigeria Airways before I travelled to USA to study Business Management and Coaching. In Washington DC, I played for Washington Whips and went to New York to study Aircraft Operations. When I came back to Nigeria I was absorbed into the National Institute of Sports through late Dr. Akioye and Dr. Eleyea.
After my advanced Coaching Course, I was transferred to the Nigerian Football Association (NFA). Then my Coaching job in Nigeria.
Trumpet: You stand respected among the crowd of Football Coaches and Managers in Nigeria. You faced a lot of expectations from both players and fans. How did you handle all the pressures to achieve your results?
Coach: In fact, it is advantageous to be a Football player before you take it to a professional level.
To be a good Coach, you must have vision to assemble good players.
Know the type of training concerning load, intensity, duration. Ability to read the game and adjust it in training and competitive situations.
Training must be game-oriented.
The coach must inform the players what to do in short and precise form explanation for easy understanding in advance knowledge given to the players.
The Coach must treat players with certain respect this in turn is complemented back to you and it establishes a working relationship between the coach and the player.
The Coach must have expert knowledge then the player must respect you.
The Coach has to take into account the player’s individual characteristic.
The Coach must have the ability to demonstrate. Players cannot trust Coaches who cannot demonstrate.
With this knowledge built in me to achieve good results with Nigel FC., Julius Berger FC., Racca Rovers, Kano, Benue Stars, Markudi, Jigawa Golden Stars, Ocean Boys F.C., Yenegoa.
It was not easy working with clubs but once you have the Chairmen of the Clubs with support, one will go places. Late Chief Idama of Julius Berger F.C. was an exceptional prrsonality. He gave me the maximum support both morally and financially. Also, Alhaji Galadima of Kano Sports Council who was the Chairman of Racca Rovers F.C. was a genius in Football Management. Even when I was planning to go back to Lagos, he did not support it. He wanted me to wait to serve the club. He kept writing to Babayo Shehu who was the Director of Sports in the National Sports Commission (NSC) to extend my stay in Kano because of my hard work. Alhaji Matassa of Matassa Group of Companies contributed to my success where I coached Baba Otu, Abubakar and others. These were players of great repute.
With change of environment I was able to cope. Most of the teams I coached, played in the Champion League. In fact, it was a success. But the bad side of it all was that some Clubs still owed me some money.
Among these are:
Jigawa Golden Stars N8 Million with the intervention of their Governor, Alhaji Lamido.
- Ocean Boys Yenegoa owed me N7.5 Million
- Stars. N1.5 Million. Totalling :N17 Million. These are some of the problems a Coach may encounter working with some Clubs.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) up dated academically, from grade 1 (One) Coaching Course to A License in Germany. I went for courses virtually all the Football nations. I became the 1st technical Director of Nigeria football Association (NFA) in 1992. My first assignment was Under – 17 World Cup in Japan in 1993. Where we won Gold beating Ghana 2-1 in the finals.
Fanny Amu was the head Coach, then. To be Champion, you must Master all aspects of the game. You can hardly see a team winning any major tournament just attacking or defending. The team must be good in all aspects of the game.
Trumpet: Could you describe any Conflict of interest or position experience you had with your players or other Administrators?
Coach: One should expect criticism when you are Coaching. All Nigerians want is winning, anything short of winning does not go down with them. Even a draw is not good for them. And you can’t blame them.
In a country of over 200 population, they believe, one should raise World Champions. Some fans will ask you why this player is not playing? They will use journalists against you. You just remain focussed. I have worked with great Journalists and Commentators who are genuine and visionary. I have been interviewed in their hundreds and they are wonderful human beings namely: Mr Fabio Olanipekun, Sunny Ojeagbese the owner of Complete Sports Newspaper, Mr Paul Bassey, Ernest Okonkwo, Mr Mac of South Africa Radio. He is in Cameroon for the AFCON, tall lanky Journalist you Mrs. Tayo Daranijo just to mention a few. Please add late Mr. Nathaniel Idowu (Philianthropist) to Chairmen I worked with. And Mr P. O. C Achebe add his name among NFA Secretaries I worked with.
Trumpet: What’s your assessment of some great Nigerian Players in history?
Coach: Great Nigerian players that showed class were, OK Emmanuel Okala, great Christian Chukwu, late Muda Lawal, Felix Owolabi, Segun Odegbami, (Mathematical in the sense that he had speed with the ball+speed without the ball + zig zag dribbling + leg over dribbling + goals =Mathematical. He is just too much from the flank. I was with the Green Eagles at Obafemi University Ile – Ife in preparation in for 1980 Nations Cup. Coach Bazuaye and I were replaced by late Brazilian Otto Gloria and Calesto.
Trumpet: What about your Five – A – Side Football Experience. You have a name as far as success in the game is concerned in Nigeria and Africa.
Coach: I was made the 1st Coach of the National 5 A- side team to play in the World Cup in Hon Kong. I had to go for 5-A-side Coaching Course in Brazil before World Cup. We got to Quarter Finals. It was a brilliant performance. I was the first Coach to take Nigeria to World Cup in 5 – A- side world Championship. The project and it’s successes belongs to God and dedicated to all Nigerians.
Trumpet: Any confrontation from your players then?
Coach: I never had confrontation with players during my coaching career. I took time to study their ethnicity and made the job easy for me. I acted like a father. I was nicknamed : Emperor, the Governor, Senior Planner, Disu Engine, Baba Disu during my football career.
I did a marvelous job and it was incredible to have achieved that feat, it was God and He accepted our prayers.
Trumpet: Please let us go back to Saudi 89 Sir. How would you recall the experience of Daman, the Miracle of Daman. You did the nation proud when all hopes seemed lost. What can you tell us about that great Team?
Coach: After coming 2nd in the group stage we had to travel to Dammam to play Russia. Everyone had lost hope because Russia had beaten all the teams in their group mercilessly (6-0. 4-0. 5-0).
When we got there, I called my Assistant and we studied the video of the Russians in and out and we came out with a Strategy to open the Russian defence he was to run their defense down because of his speed. While Nduka Ugbade was to do the damage which he did successfully.
In the first half, Russia was leading us by 2 goals to nothing .
I had to change the Goalkeeper. Emeka Amadi came in for Angus Ikeji though he felt reluctant to come in but I had to call the team Psychologist, Prof. Omotayo to psyche him up and he yielded.
Then in the 2nd half, the Russians scored another two goals making it 4 goals to nothing. I never lost hope. I realized there was deficiency in the defense. I now brought in Odiari to change Oladunni. Then, the Miracle started. We got two quick free kicks and Chris Ohenhen scored then. The 3rd goal was scored by Sam Elijah. The fourth goal was miraculous when Ugbade was going for the equalizer as Mr. Fabio Olanipekun was running the commentary in my head, Equa! Equa!! Equa!!! Equalizer and started shedding tears of joy!
We went to extra time and then into penalties. And we won by penalty. Emelia Amadi saved one. I cannot forget our Chairman Justice Ekpeazu who always called the captain Ugbade and myself to his room for prayers through out the competition. May Almighty God continues to bless him.
The Miracle team: Angus Ikeji (Emelia Amadi) Oyemachara, Bawa Abdulahi, Mutiu Adepoju, Nduka Ugbade, Oladuni Oyekale, (Odiari) Sam Elijah, Dimeji Lawal, Osondu Phillip (Jimoh Balogun) Christopher Nwosu (Tony Emodofu) Chris Ohenhen.
When we got back to Nigeria, the President Ibrahim Gbadamasi Babangida (GCFR,) honoured the Chairman, Justice Ekpeazu and myself. We were awarded with OFR honour and N100.000 cash and the boys with N50.000 cash and other officials. My assistant got N70 Thousand. Coca Cola Company gave each member 100 crates of Coke each.
Trumpet: Do you in any way, still get in touch with members of the team?
Coach: Yes of course. Today, we have Miracle of Dammam Foundation where we can reach ourselves. Oladuni is the Chairman and Christopher Nwosu is the Executive Secretary.
Trumpet: What’s your present Assignment Sir?
Coach: Presently, I am the Technical Director /Ag. Executive Secretary of Lagos Junior League. We produced Victor Osimhen from Onigbongbo LCDA to the National team, Ndidi Wilfred (Leicester), Taiwo Awoniyi, Henry Onyekuru.
And our Chairman is Hon. Jamal Bayewu. He is doing wonderfully well and we are out to produce more great football players together.
Trumpet: As someone from a Football playing Family, has any of your children taken after you or showed interests in the game?
Coach: No doubt, I am from a football but none of my children has taken to football as a profession. My grandchildren are very young and mostly girls and cannot play. One of my children wanted to play buy his style is too naive for my liking.
Trumpet: What’s your take on the future of Nigerian Coaches?
Coach: Nigeria Coaches have a bright future if they can make discipline as their watchdogs. Foreign Coaches are accepted everywhere. It is an exchange program. But we have to use them effectively. Modern Football is not only played on the pitch but also played off the path. Infrastructures and psychological factors play a big part on the eventual outcome on the pitch which we don’t have. Football is life. Thank you.
