CFA trains players on discipline, hard work, others

Determined to broaden the horizon of its players, Cowbell Football Academy (CFA) has started training them on how they could succeed in their career as footballers as the Academy’s Summer Camp began in Lagos.

Apart from the metrics of football game the participants are being subjected to during the ongoing two-week exercise holding at the National Stadium, the CFA also brought experienced professionals from different parts of the country to educate the young footballers on those aspects of life that are essential for success and breakthrough.

Among the ex-international players lined up to share experience with the kids at the Summer Camp are: Mutiu Adepoju, Jonathan Akpoborie and Waheed Akanni. Mr. Agu Imo, Lagos-based lawyer and Convener of Sports and Entertainment Lawyers Association Limited by Guarantee was also present to train the participating young footballers while the Camp lasts.

Speaking on how to make progress in life, Imo listed those variables that young football players must take cognizance of before their efforts could be adequately rewarded.  According to him, self discipline is key to outstanding success in football career; adding that without this no matter how laudable one’s goal might be it would be short-lived. He therefore advised the participating kids to always subject themselves to discipline as they grow in life.

Apart from self discipline, Imo charged them to work hard stressing “If you want to be a good footballer, you have to be discipline and work hard. You cannot win a football game without hard work and discipline. The two variables will take you far in your career.”

The lawyer advised the kids to always ensure they put up the right attitude wherever they find themselves and not to allow anything to distract their attention from God. His words, “If you have the Fear of God in your heart, it would not be difficult for you to discipline yourself and put up the right attitude wherever you find yourself.”

Similarly, Akpoborie said the purpose of the Summer Camp is to show the participating kids the basic techniques of approaching and playing the football game. According to him, having the talent is different from knowing how and when to deploy the talent in the game of football.  So, during the Summer Camp, according to him, the participating kids will be thought how to align the two for optimum results in the football career.

Akpoborie was part of the Nigeria’s team that won the first edition of the FIFA U-16 Championship in 1985, scoring in the final against the then West Germany. Two years later, he featured for the Flying Eagles at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship in Chile.

At the senior level, he was selected for the 1992 and 2000 Africa Cup of Nations where he won bronze and silver respectively

Akpoborie featured in a number of games ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF First Round, he scored his fourth goal in Nigeria's 4–0 win over Eritrea in Lagos.

Cowbell Football Academy was launched in 2012 as a corporate social responsibility programme by Promasidor Nigeria with the aim of building and developing the nation through sports.
The academy is committed to preparing young footballers, between ages three and 18 years to shine as stars in the future.