![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/seeing-powell-at-brighton-and-vieira-at-palace-is-important/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/www-whufc-com-news-stephen-771488643.jpg&description=WHEN Stephen Opoka's playing career ended in his early twenties after a knee injury, a move into coaching was the furthest thing from his mind Fifteen years on the ex-Colchester United youth player became West Ham Women's WSL Academy manager, the first black coach to take on the role. Stephen Opoka played for Colchester United during his teens A knee injury led to Opoka embarking on a career in coaching which has since seen him take charge of West Ham Women's AcademyCredit: https://www.whufc.com/news/stephen-opoka-appointed-womens-academy-manager Becoming a coach was something Opoka, 34 would eventually see as his dream job years after a promising start as a Colchester United youth player The ex-U's youth player's journey into football began at seven after being inspired by the Three Lions' heroics during Euros 96. It would later lead to Opoka, who was born in Uganda, receiving a call-up to the Ugandan senior national side at 18 ahead of an African Cup of Nations qualifier in 2008. The former Colchester midfield, who grew up in Newham in East London said: 'Watching Euro 96 was a big moment "I started to get a football vibe from watching England get to the semi-finals and Paul Gascoigne's famous goal against Scotland. "These were my earliest memories and trying to replicate these moments - that's what got me into football as a kid in a playground. 'When I was 11, I joined a grassroots side called Abbey Raiders based in Forest Gate in East London. 'I was a midfielder at the time and some of my heroes back then were players like Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane. "I later joined Colchester as a school boy." Opoka's appointment as the Hammers' Women's Academy manager last month, follows a journey that saw him undergo a knee op in a bid to continue playing. He would later take on a variety of jobs before deciding to take the plunge to become a coach. Opoka added: 'I was at Colchester for five years from the age of 14 playing in midfield. "When I was 19, I didn't get o){kind=link}
WHEN Stephen Opoka’s playing career ended in his early twenties after a knee injury, a move into coaching was the furthest thing from his mind
Fifteen years on the ex-Colchester United youth player became West Ham Women’s WSL Academy manager, the first black coach to take on the role.
Becoming a coach was something Opoka, 34 would eventually see as his dream job years after a promising start as a Colchester United youth player
The ex-U’s youth player’s journey into football began at seven after being inspired by the Three Lions’ heroics during Euros 96.
It would later lead to Opoka, who was born in Uganda, receiving a call-up to the Ugandan senior national side at 18, ahead of an African Cup of Nations qualifier in 2008.