Eboboritse honoured to work with Olympic team

It has been 16 years since the Nigerian Women’s national football team has qualified for the Olympics. A University of South Wales (USW) student is part of the coaching team preparing them for their big comeback.

Eboboritse Uwejamomere, who lives in Kent, is coming to the end of his studies on the MSc Advanced Performance Football Coaching. However, before he hands in his final piece of work, he is working with the Nigerian team as their Coach Analyst.

“The job has been fascinating” he said.

“The Nigerian women’s football team is number one in African football but they have not qualified in the last three Olympics tournaments. They always qualify for the Women's World Cup and the Women's African Championships, but the Olympics has been just beyond their grasp for the last few attempts. Until now.

“We have some really interesting players, some of which are amongst the best in African women's football, as well as the best goalkeeper. We've also got some really good up-and-coming players too and experienced players from the US and European Leagues and the Women's Champions League.”

Eboboritse had coached in the Nigerian league system and elite youth academy level in England before getting a job with the Football Federation working within the Technical Directorate. He worked with the Nigerian Men’s team and then was approached to support the Head Coach of the Women’s team for the Olympics.

On why he decided to study alongside his work, he said: “There is a qualification within the masters degree that was important for me, which is the UEFA A licence with Football Association Wales. This licence is a vital part of the coaching pathway to work at the elite level.

He said: “I also noticed that some elite jobs require a degree in sport. My undergraduate degree is in Sociology so I thought I can kill two birds with one stone by doing this course and enhancing my future job prospects.

“The course has not been a box ticking exercise for me though. It has been extremely insightful. I have been able to apply the learning, from both the UEFA A licence and the masters modules, into my job role straight away. It has made me more in tune with my career and my day-to-day job role.”

Eboboritse is travelling to Spain to join the team in pre-tournament camp before the first match in Bordeaux.

“I am so grateful to the Head Coach, Randy Waldrum, who has given me the opportunity to live this experience with the team and to learn from and work under his guidance. The Olympics is the biggest sporting event in the world so to be involved is not only amazing to have on my CV but also an honour.”