Faculty of Physical and Health Sciences Students’ Association (FPHSSA) coach Daniel Joshua has praised the University of Lagos Students’ Union (ULSU) for reviving competitive sports, describing the tournament as a vital platform for discovering and showcasing student-athletes across the institution.
Speaking after his side’s 2-1 defeat to MSA in the ULSU Super Cup knockout stage at the UNILAG Sports Centre, Joshua said the result was painful but insisted his players deserved credit for their fighting spirit despite limited preparation.
“Today’s match was a fantastic game. Both sides played very well. Unfortunately, we were on the losing side, and that’s painful because the goals came from two goalkeeper errors.
“I’m very proud of the performance of our players. They gave everything they had, but today wasn’t our day,” he said.
Joshua revealed that his team had little time to prepare, having assembled the squad less than two weeks before the competition.
According to him, the players trained only twice and played a single friendly match before entering the tournament.
“As a faculty, this is the first time we’ve had a collective team. We trained just twice and played only one friendly game, so I believe we’ll be much better when we have enough time to prepare together,” he added.
Despite the defeat, the coach expressed optimism about the future of the competition, urging the Students’ Union to sustain the initiative.
“I hope these ULSU games will continue and that the Students’ Union will never be dissolved again as it was in the past. If this competition continues every year, we’ll have enough time to build a stronger team, and I believe we can compete for the title.”
Joshua believes the ULSU football competition extends beyond winning trophies, serving as an important pathway for student-athletes to gain recognition.
“Student Union is a very good initiative because no institution should run without students having a collective voice. In sports, it identifies hidden talents across departments and faculties and gives them the opportunity to compete.”
He noted that competitions such as the ULSU Super Cup provide an alternative route for talented footballers who might otherwise go unnoticed.
“Today, the school coaches were around watching the games. They can identify players who may not have been on their radar before. Scouts and representatives from local clubs can also discover these students. Not everyone will succeed through white-collar jobs—sports can be another pathway to success.”
Joshua, a professional coach currently pursuing a second degree, added that he has worked with several private football teams and believes university competitions remain essential for developing the next generation of Nigerian football talent.
With the ULSU Super Cup gathering momentum, coaches and players alike hope the tournament will become a permanent fixture on the University of Lagos sporting calendar, creating more opportunities for student-athletes to compete, develop and pursue careers in sports.