Lateef Kolawole: The Coach who turns trialists into trophies

Lateef Kolawole: The Coach who turns trialists into trophies


By Ojomu Idow, Sportspro News 

The journey started from Ikorodu Dust to Dubai Floodlights: 

Lateef Adebayo’s 25-Year Masterclass in Building Winners with unique coaching methodology stood him out 

In a football world obsessed with big names and bigger budgets, Lateef Kolawole Adebayo has built his reputation on something more valuable: transformation of raw talents, brilliant communication skills, integrity and service delivery.

For 25 years, the Lagos-born tactician has walked into clubs with problems and walked out with building exceptional players and solid teams. 

From coaching boys with torn boots in Ikorodu in 1993, to leading DHL South Africa to the Global World Cup final in Dubai 2022, his career is a blueprint for what happens when experience meets purpose.

At 65, Coach Lateef carries the credentials: a B.Ed in Physical & Health Education, CAF License, South African FA A License, plus coaching courses from England, Brazil, France and UAE. 


But clubs don’t hire him for paper. They hire him for results even with his robust and intimidating credentials 



The Dubai Moment
2022. Global DHL World Cup. DHL South Africa were underdogs. 8 weeks earlier they were just trialists. Under Lateef’s system of “think three passes ahead,” high pressing, and mental toughness, they reached the final. Runner-up. On the world stage. That’s his signature: take raw material, install discipline, create winners.

He won the African Gold in 2006 and used the window to work under European Coaches


African DHL Cup, South Africa. Same story. New team. Gold medal. He’s done it across cultures too as Technical Assistant for Nigeria U-23 & U-20, Head Coach in South Africa, Technical Director at Fulham FC Academy Dubai 2018-2020 where he built coach education programs and player pathways aligned to European standards.

The highly intelligent,transparent and influential tactician is exposed to modern football with digital knowledge of the game at the global level 


Players remember the medals. They remember the man more. The coach who runs intense sessions, then sits with a teenager after a missed penalty and teaches him how to stand up. “Tactics win matches. Relationships build careers,” he says.

Clubs should call him now to take the advantage of dexterity  and give their players the opportunity of good football organization with positive results 


Football in 2026 is faster, younger, and more data-driven. Coach Lateef blends old-school discipline with modern analysis. 

His strengths: tactical preparation, youth development, scouting, and managing dressing rooms across languages and cultures.

Kolawole won the first ever West Africa Polytechnic games Footbal medal for Yaba Polytechnic Lagos State 

He rescued Bloemfountain  Celtic of South Africa from relegation apart from serving as personal Assistant to late Theophilus Tella in South Korea during the U-17 World Cup in 2007

At the domestic level In Nigeria,he worked with Stationery Stores and recently supported KWARA United Technical team led by Coach Ashifat SULYMAN alias Brazil for few matches at the just concluded NPFL

He handled Fujirah Football Club in the United Arab Emirates before moving to Europe for greener pastures 

Based in Lagos, ready to relocate anywhere in Africa or other parts of the world. 

Targeting Head Coach, Technical Director, or Academy Manager roles. He doesn’t promise miracles. He promises process. And process is what turns trials into trophies.

In an exclusive chat with Sportspro News Publisher Bayour Issah, Coach Lateef revealed that the game of football is like the new technology that can only be applied and developed by a technocrat like him because he has done a lot of research that only few in the business can cope

The game needs more builders. Fewer tourists.  
If your club wants to build, not just buy, Coach Lateef Adebayo is available.

Phone: 08033444627
email:lateefkadebayo@gmail.com

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