31st March, 2011
Tajudeen Olasunkanmi is the Team Manger of Hansworth Football Club of Ikeja. He spoke about his team’s preparation for Ogun State Challenge Cup and other issues with Grassroots Soocer Guide.
Sir, how are you preparing for Ogun State Challenge Cup?
We are fully prepared. We have played some friendly matches and will still play more to keep the players fit ahead of the championship.
Which clubs are you planning to meet for the friendlies?
We are ready to play First Bank on Friday at the Satellite Town, Festac.We will also play with FC Ebiede on Sunday at Agege Stadium .
What are your expectations in this year’s Ogun FA Cup?
My target is to lift the trophy. I don’t like to boast but I want to say that my team are formidable and ready to shock as many clubs as possible in Ogun FA Cup.
Don’t you think it will be difficult to defeat Gateway Club and other clubs based in Ogun State, since your team are based in Lagos?
We are aware of the task ahead. Don’t forget that we have played Gateway FC in Ogun FA Cup in 2008 and they found it difficult to beat us in the quarter final.
What can be the major obstacle to winning the cup?
The only obstacle I envisage is officiating. If officiating is fair, I believe that my team will not only reach the final but the cup.
Apart from Ogun FA Cup, what other competitions are you planning to participate in?
We want to register for Lagos Street Soccer, Boska Cup and other high profile competitions. I believe we have what it takes to win more laurels this year than before.
How would describe your team’s defeat in the quarter final of Baale’s Cup?
It was a bad outing for us because we lost to Solid Club who were not better than us. My players underrated them and this cost us the victory.