By Daily Sports on March 5, 2018

Edo state based youth football club Benin Warriors are set to participate in the state's Federations cup and are putting in place plans to have a successful tournament as well as seeing players of the team develop into a more professional career.

The club, which surprised many in 2016 by winning Edo State League which is the biggest competition for youth clubs in Edo State in its debut season of participation, is currently training intensely for the 2018/football season and are optimistic of doing well.

A coach of the team Rex Bob told Daily Sports: “Our players realise football is very competitive and that the rate of success from grassroots to the professional level is generally not so high. So we are working ever so hard to be at the top and be a success story.”

The team has nurtured a lot of young players over the years and now a couple of very good youngsters are ready to make a solid stake at the highest level.

One of such players is 15-year-old Jeremiah Salami who was too a little too young to be a regular in the state league title winning side. The attacking midfielder is wowing fans in Benin City now with his intelligent creative play and a solid mentality to wade through the tough path that is grassroots football.

“I’m hungry for success. I’m enjoying my football here at Benin Warriors. I just want to keep learning and keep improving. The pressure I feel is to try to succeed and be more of help to my parents, family and friends. I know the power of sports to uplift the lives of people and I want to be an instrument of help,” Jeremiah says.

Benin Warriors have had a good preseason so far and have not lost any of their friendly games so far this year.

“Our hope is to produce players for the various national team of Nigeria. It’s not easy, given the competition. But we are entitled to dream big and we must follow it up with hard work,” Bob adds.

The club recently took delivery of new kits from France and will be donning them as part of their collections this week.

Another exciting talent in the fold of the club is 16-year-old Desmond Oji. He is a very skillful player drawing comparisons with Riyid Mahrez of Leicester City. He is comfortable in both flanks an can all player in an attacking midfield position. Just like Salami, Desmond was  physically short for the historic 2016 state league win and despite making some alpeaeances in the bench, never managed to get game time in that competition.

But now he plays more regularly in big games for Benin Warriors and his mazy dribbles and runs has made him become one of the most talked about prospects in Edo state. He tells Daily Sports: “I like to enjoy my football. I focus a lot on the tactics of my team and I try to apply my individual strength to help the tactical demands of the team. When I manage to do that, I'm very happy.”

Rukevwe Sagay is one of the goalkeepers of the club and his composure with his feet is a quality that coaches who like the possession game value. The 16-year-old adds to his sharp reflexes a remarkable ability to spray accurate passes from his 18-yard-box and help his team’s build up play from the back.

The ambition of the Benin Warriors club is high and Coach Bob is hopeful that with some luck, the club can see its proteges fly higher to worldwide recognition.

•Photo shows Benin Warriors young players unveiling their 2018 kit recently in Benin City. From Left to right: Desmond Oji, Rukevwe Sagay and Jeremiah Salami

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 5, 2018

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