Conquering challenges: Stephen Constantine's vision for Pakistani football

Stephen Constantine, the current coach of Pakistan's national football team, shared his journey and vision for the future of football in Pakistan.

While speaking to The Express Tribune in an exclusive interview, Constantine said that with proper time, understanding, and support, Pakistan can rise in the Asian football rankings, given its large population of 240 million.

"I was asked to come to Pakistan a couple of years ago. It wasn’t possible at that time, but they reached out again last year. I think there’s so much we are capable of, and I think if we get time and understanding from people about football, and with a population of 240 million, Pakistan won’t be in a lower position, at least not in Asia," Constantine said.

He noted that football is played throughout Pakistan, but it lacks media coverage and recognition.
"Football is in every part of Pakistan; it’s just the fact that it’s not on TV. We are not in a situation to highlight it, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t playing. Once we get the league, football will do wonders," he explained.

Reflecting on his successful tenure in India, Constantine shared that his goal was to help India qualify for the Asian Cup.

"My objective for India was for them to qualify for the Asian Cup and to qualify in the conventional way. It took us two years to qualify. I gave 39 players their international debut. When I joined the Indian team, the average age of the team was 32, a bit like in Pakistan right now. When I left, it went down to 23 in India. Going to the Asian Cup was an unbelievable experience for me and for those players as well. I felt like I had done my job," he said.

Constantine stressed the urgent need for a national league in Pakistan to ensure continuous football development.

"The biggest issue we have in Pakistan is that, at the moment, is that we don’t have any league. Our boys need to play games, they need to train every day. It doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re not playing, then you’re not learning. So all I can say to everybody watching is that let’s get this league sorted because Pakistan deserves better than what we have at the moment," he urged.

Constantine's contract with Pakistan runs until the end of December, and he remains focused on building a strong foundation for the future.

"We have to do a lot of things to ensure that whatever work we have done continues because otherwise, it’ll be a waste of time. Right now, my attention is to help the Pakistan football team be where they want to be. I have to tell stakeholders so many times: stop thinking about yourself, start thinking about Pakistan football," he concluded.

With his experience and dedication, Constantine is determined to elevate Pakistani football to new heights, fostering a brighter future for the sport in the country.