Sierra Leone U-20 Team Trained on Life After Football
Aaron Parker In a proactive move to prepare young footballers for a well-rounded future, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) organized a motivational and life skills workshop for the Sierra Leone and Egypt U-20 teams, including their coaches.
The session, held on Sunday, May 4th, at the Mercure Hotel in Ismailia, aimed to equip players with essential tools to navigate life after football.
Taking a forward-thinking approach, the workshop focused on mental preparedness, personal development, and career planning beyond the pitch.
It was moderated by two distinguished figures in African football — Daniel Amokachi, former Nigerian international and AFCON 1994 winner, and Walter Steenbok, former Technical Director of the South African Football Association. Both experts are members of CAF’s Technical Study Group and shared deep insights from their experiences.
Amokachi lauded the Sierra Leonean players for their impressive performance in the tournament and their leadership in Group A. However, he reminded them that their football careers are only one chapter of their lives.
He urged the young athletes to cultivate healthy relationships, invest wisely, and seek educational opportunities that could lead to future roles in coaching, administration, or mentoring.
“Your legacy isn’t just what you achieve on the field but also how you prepare for life after it,” Amokachi emphasized. “Build yourselves beyond the game.”
Walter Steenbok echoed similar sentiments, encouraging players to think strategically about both short- and long-term goals. He stressed the value of mentorship, leadership, and acquiring life skills that will serve them beyond their playing days.
The workshop left a lasting impression on the Sierra Leone U-20 squad, who described it as eye-opening and empowering. For many, it marked a turning point in their understanding of what it takes to succeed both on and off the pitch.
With newfound motivation, the players pledged to embrace discipline, leadership, and continuous learning as essential components of their football journey and life beyond the game.
It is a wealth of experience for the young lads especially in this area, it is a nugget for the future of our boys and a great opportunity to participate in such workshops, thanks to CAF and FIFA for such a laudable contribution