Here is the remarkable story of Victory Akwaowo, a female coach, who just led Dice FC to the final of the Heisclinton Super Cup, a grassroots tournament that has captured the attention of football lovers in Rivers State. 

Despite being an underdog, Victory’s team has defied the odds, and their journey to the final shows her exceptional coaching skills and leadership.

In an exclusive interview with Footballrover, the young female coach, an Electrical Electronics Engineer awaiting clearance and NYSC, shared her experiences, challenges, and wins as a female coach in a male-dominated sport.

She emphasised the importance of believing in oneself and one’s team, citing her team’s comeback win against the defending champions, Southern Mavericks, as a memorable moment in her coaching journey.

Read the full interview below…

Congratulations on leading Dice FC to the final of Heisclinton Super Cup! How does it feel to be a female coach making waves in a male-dominated sport?

Thank you. It’s wonderful and an honour.

What inspired you to pursue coaching, and what drives your passion for football?

Well, I have done this gig of coaching before. My friend Moses and I were just talking about this competition and that we should form a team and I should head it. Jokingly, I accepted.

As a Uniport graduate, how do you balance academics and coaching? Any tips for young women who want to follow in your footsteps?

Well, these players are good in the sense that they already have football in their blood, so there is no need to talk too much [smiles].

Academics wasn’t hard to juggle with football because when we love something, we don’t make excuses for anything pertaining to what we love.

Well, my tip to females is that nothing is impossible; just try.

Dice FC’s journey to the finals is an underdog story! What’s the secret to your team’s success, and what’s your game plan for the final match?

It really is, because we started off rough in our first leg, but due to hope and believing in the team on the field, they [players] were like, “They are winning this that I should forget” [smiles].

I was tensed for the second leg based on the fact that we were facing the defending champions, but we scored the first, then the second, and ended it with the third goal.

I can’t say there’s actually any secret, but I just believed the 11 players I put on the field would do a good job.

We have a strong opponent. The thing is, the game plan is to win [smiles].

As a young female coach, how were you able to manage the egos of these male players to get them to the final of the competition?

I believe that if you are a footballer, your ego is no-no; we at Dice FC don’t do that here; there is no room for wrong misconduct.

A lot of young girls might be looking up to you as a role model! What message do you hope to inspire in them through your little achievement?

My message to them is: Don’t stop what you are doing. Focus and keep pushing. Sport, or, should I say, football, can take you anywhere.

How does it feel to be part of a grassroots tournament like the Heisclinton Super Cup, and what impact do you think it has on young talents in the state?

I feel alright with their welcoming hands towards me. I feel that the fact that Footballrover was able to contact me means that the Heisclinton Super Cup will definitely go places.

Not just the price money, but the publicity is quite massive; young talents shouldn’t undermine the name.

What advice would you give to young women who face challenges and doubts in pursuing these sorts of passions, especially in male-dominated fields?

Well, females in male-dominated fields should not feel intimidated but strive to be good because treasures don’t hide for long.

They might even shine better here than in female-dominated fields. I feel it’s even an advantage.

Can you share a memorable moment or win that stands out in your coaching journey so far?

The comeback match against the former defending champions, Southern Mavericks, was a memorable moment I wouldn’t forget in a hurry. Like, the turnaround of the event was spectacular [smiles].

Reflecting on her coaching philosophy, Akaowo explained the importance of actions over words.

For her and Dice FC, results speak louder than boasts, and they aim to clinch the trophy in the final match, cementing their legacy in the Heisclinton Super Cup.

Looking ahead, Akwaowo remains uncertain about her future but leaves the door open to new opportunities, including the possibility of coaching at the professional level.

As the tournament continues to garner attention and support, Akwaowo believes in its potential to nurture young talents and elevate grassroots football.

The final match of the Heisclinton Super Cup promises to be an exciting encounter on Friday, with Victory’s Dice FC facing off against a strong opponent.

Whatever the outcome, Victory’s impact on the tournament is already evident, and her legacy is sure to inspire future generations of female coaches and players.

Photo Credit: Soul Lens Media

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