Meet Nigera's Youngest Football Coach

Meet this amazing young man chasing his dreams. He is Ohis popular known as ‘The gaffer’. Ohis, 21, is Nigeria’s youngest football coach.

Yesterday we held a testimonial match for the international youth day to promote peace in our community. What surprised me was the young man[Ohis] I met, I later found out that he is a coach. I am as surprised as you are now.

I decided to have our first ‘The Chat’ with him.

Straight to The Chat now.

Sivi: Good afternoon sir thanks for having this chat with us.

My Yesterday's Stories- We write beautiful stories from our yesterday and also promote youth doing amazing things just to inspire other youth.

Ohis: Good Afternoon Mr Sivi Wali and Happy Sunday to you

Sivi: Thanks a lot. The Chat is a new initiative I just started for my yesterday stories to have young persons doing amazing things come share their story with the world.

You're our first guest.

Ohis: You're Welcome. That's a good thing keep the flying. I'm highly honoured 

 I'll Love to Share My Story to the World

Sivi: The pleasure is mine.

Please introduce yourself fully

Ohis: I'm Oyakhire Ohioze Orobosa. I am from Edo State. I hail from Owan East Local Government from a village Called Uroe.

Sivi: Your name says it all **smiles**

Ohis: I'm a graduate of Political Science, Covenant University Admirable Set 2015. I have three siblings. I Reside in Port Harcourt.

My hobbies are travelling, coaching, watching soccer, playing video games, networking, making new Friends. I love fashion and photography so much.

I'm A Christian.

My Life Ambition would be to Become the youngest civilian President of Nigeria.

Sivi: 2015? Then I was in 200 level. Great. Small boy big dreams.

Ohis: Thank you.

Sivi: Yesterday we had the youth for peace testimonial match. My body still aches though **laughs**

Anyways you've already answered some of my questions in one reply. We’ll take it question by question now😃😃

I understand this career path you’ve chosen isn’t a very easy one. So why did you choose to pursue a career in sports not any other profession?

Ohis: I'll say passion I've Loved the game since I Was a child so it's hasn’t really left me. I'll say sports (Soccer Most Especially Is in My Veins).

Sivi: Great! I must reveal, I’m also a huge fan of sports (especially football).

I didn’t plan to ask this question but what club do you support?

Ohis: Manchester United and West Ham United Football Club

Sivi: West Ham? You really love football.

I'm also a fan of Manchester United. Big ups mate

One interesting part of me most people don’t know is that I used to play football professionally before I got into school😃😃.

Ohis: Wow.

Sivi: So why did you choose to be 'the manger' or should I say gaffer and not the player?

Ohis: I used to play but I noticed that as a player you can't be solely responsible for the team. Defenders can play well but strikers or midfielders won't score or vice versa.

But I noticed that as a coach you have more Influence on how a game flows.

The truth Is no one can actually determine a game 100% even Ronaldo or Messi can't.

Sivi: Basically you love leadership, and you want to be the leader.

Great!

Ohis: Yes, boss.

Sivi: I used to have a hard time juggling my personal life with sports when I was seriously involved. So tell us how you work the magic?

I can learn a thing or two from you.

Ohis: We can't remove the God factor from this. I'm not perfect with proper planning and organisation you can achieve the best of both worlds. Without adequate planning and preparation, you'll Be struggling to Maintain a perfect Work-Life balance.

Sivi: I know it’s not easy with African parents too **laughs**. So do you have any other thing you do?

Ohis: Well I'm a football analyst, fashion stylist and I'm sort of a solution provider.

Sivi: Great! It’s almost a wrap

What’s the name of your team? How many players do you have?

Ohis: It's Called Ohis FC

Right now I have about 30 players Nationwide but most of them are based in Lagos.

Sivi: That's an impressive number.

Ohis: I Know I'm working on increasing it though.

Sivi: So far how many youths in total have you engaged through sports?

Ohis: Wow over hundred because I've Coached three different programmes in Covenant University, I was the College of Development Studies coach for three years. I was the coach of Juventus FC during the pioneer Covenant University premier league which was my idea. I coached teams during memorial games, coal tar matches and all-star games. I was also the Head Student Coach of the Covenant University Students Soccer Team, the list goes on.

I have a large CV I plan on getting my coaching licences before I'm 25 so the world can know there's coaching youth talent in Nigeria.

Sivi: Great now that’s impressive.

How old are you now?

Ohis: I'm Just 22.

Sivi: I’m inspired.

Do you know about Social Change Group advocating for the SDGs in Africa and what do you think about the t Social Change Group advocating for the SDGs in Africa and what do you think about the group?

Ohis: I think it's a brilliant idea by the Wali Twins, Ikechi, Sharon, Goodness and the rest of the group. It's a good one for the youths in Nigeria and Africa at large. The impact has been huge.

Sivi: Do you know about the sustainable development goal 16? How do you intend to promote peace through soccer?

Ohis: Soccer is a game played by people of different religions, tribes, culture. So through soccer we come as one on the pitch. So This Can Increase Peace.

Sivi: Exactly, it brings people together breaking religious and ethnic barriers.

Laughs** we’ve just done some form advocacy here for goal 16.

So final words for youth looking to go into soccer?

Ohis: Believe in God. Believe in yourself. Be determined. work hard, pray hard, train and read about soccer as much as possible and you'll make it someday.

Sivi: Okay thanks for chatting with us Ohis. You've inspired me.

I leave you with this. If you have a dream. You have only two options, either you keep sleeping or you wake up and run with it. Think about it. Don’t let your dream die. Run with it.

For those of you looking for a team to join you can drop your details in the comment section.

I hope you enjoyed our first ‘The Chat’ with the gaffer. Stay tuned as we chat with more youth doing amazing things.

Share your thoughts on this amazing young man! And lessons learnt. Also share your thoughts on different ways you can help promote peace in the society.

Get inspired! Read our other blog posts.