With massive ambitions, the ICSA WAISAL football team went to Abuja, Nigeria. The time for tournament and competition came upon us once again. With revenge looming in the back of ICSA player’s minds, they were looking to enter empty handed and exit with their hands full of silverware.
After their return, an interview was conducted in order to hear from the players and staff that were a part of this journey.
Q: How was the entire training process?
Ethan Nchinda, 1st Year Team Manager
A: “We were missing a lot of players compared to last season. Last year, we had a very well oriented team. The coach made it easier. He gave the players everything they needed to be successful. Going into the tournament, after losing in the finals, our team had the most motivation and we wanted it more than anyone else.”
Clarisse Wydemans, ICSA Girls Football Player
A: “I felt as if the team was very good and the chemistry was really nice. We all had a feeling that we were going to go far. The team was linked together.”
Q: In your first year trying out for goalie, you made it. How does that make you feel?
Timi Bello, ICSA Boys Goalkeeper
A : “In my first year, I felt great being able to be a part of the team. Last year, I played as a right back and I didn’t take it seriously. Now that I’ve set my priorities straight, I had football in my own hands and it paid off.”
With 1 month left until the tournament, ICSA’s coach Easter Tarlibo announced the team by giving each player a Manchester City squad player comparison.
Timi (Ederson Santana), Emilio (Kyle Walker), Lucas (John Stones), Israel (Nathan Ake) , Nathan G (Bernado Silva), Amen (Rodri), Safir (Phil Foden), Rwanda/Ganza (Jeremy Doku) Luca ( Jack Grelish), Yapo (Erling Haaland), Jayden (Julian Alvarez), Omar (Kevin De Bruyne).
The girl’s team had also reached the big day and chose a stacked 11 player team.
The list was as follows:
Lavie, Selma, Yasmeen, Chloe, Grace, Kesso, Clarisse, Lydia, Ana, Camille, and Fortunate.
After three days of hard work, the girls secured a third place spot and the boys celebrated after bringing home the first trophy since 2017. The captain, Yasmeen Balogun and boy’s winger, Luca Collusa, were both awarded with an all-star award.
For the boy’s team, Daniel N’Guessan took the tournament by storm and won the MVP award with his impressive 10 goals.
Q: How do you think the team did?
Yasmeen Balogun, ICSA Girl’s Football Team Captain
A: “I’m really satisfied and happy. I struggle with the fact that you’re going to lose sometimes, and you’re not always going to win. We don’t think of this as a failure, and we didn’t fail as a team. We lost and that’s okay, because we came back to ICSA with a trophy!”
Timi Bello, ICSA Boy’s Goalkeeper
A: “I think our team played how they should have played. We were nothing but the best, and everyone played their role in getting us to the end we had some sacrifices like Nathan’s injury. The first save was during the semis. We were up 2-0 and a penalty was awarded to AISL. I saved that. The second one was at the end where the ball deflected everywhere and I managed to get the goal line save.”
Easter Tarlibo, ICSA Boy’s Coach
A: “Well, I think our team was exceptional. They were very composed, tactical, technical, physical, and even mentally prepared. I feel happy in the sense that the players worked very hard for it.
I want to compliment Dr. Peyron because he has changed the narrative of WAISAL and football in the school. I know as a coach, that I can win WAISAL at any time. I have the charisma and the ability to produce a good team. So, I do it for people that support me and make me a better person.”
Q: Do you think it will come home next year?
Yasmeen Balogun, ICSA Girl’s Football Team Captain
A: “For sure, I mean I don’t wanna jinx it, but our girls have learned so much and we have so many great middle school girls coming up. I’m going to be watching on the screen, and I cannot wait to see what they are going to bring to the table.”
Timi Bello, ICSA Boy’s Goalkeeper
A: “Next year, I think it’s staying. I believe that our second team will go far because I see a lot of potential within them.”
Gilles Peyron, Athletic Director
A: “It’s possible, so now everybody knows that it depends on the students. They have the cards in their hand.”
Until next time, Panthers!
