'A generational talent' – Nikita Gosine wants to win

At 14, Form 3 Pleasantville Secondary student Nikita Gosine is already making waves on the football circuit. A speedy forward who possesses game awareness beyond her years, Gosine was instrumental in Pleasantville's run to the Secondary Schools Football League's (SSFL) Coca-Cola girl's national intercol title in 2023 – scoring a brace against Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School in the final at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

A year later, Gosine, her teammate and 16-year-old sister Natalia, and the Pleasantville team are shooting towards another national intercol crown. From 3.30 pm today (Sunday), Pleasantville, who are coached by calypsonian Brian London, will face Miracle Ministries in the national intercol semis at Lewis Street in San Fernando. With this year's girls' Big 5 title already in their trophy cabinet, Gosine and company will take some stopping.

London told Newsday Gosine has improved immensely since her 2023 feats, and believes Trinidad and Tobago football has a real gem on its hand.

"What we're seeing right now in terms of the optics, she's indeed a generational talent in my opinion," said London, during an interview.

"For that to bear fruition, it will be to see her in a bigger, more competitive environment, probably at a club outside where she can be tested amongst more elite competition.

"Nikita wants to win. The team may not always want to win, but she wants to win."

Gosine has already scored over 30 goals in the current SSFL season. And if opposing teams didn't know about her talents before, the San Fernando youngster gave them a reminder with an eight-goal performance in the south zone intercol final versus Moruga Secondary on November 22. Pleasantville won the match by a whopping 17-0 margin.

Gosine started playing the beautiful game with Cox Coaching in 2019, and she has already represented TT at the under-17 level.

"My inspiration for playing the sport is Cristiano Ronaldo (among the) men and Lauren James among the women," Gosine told Newsday.

Gosine also draws motivation from her mother Natalie Des Vignes-Gosine, who starred for the national women's football team and Petrotrin in the early 2000s.

"I feel amazed, proud and happy to see my daughters following in my footsteps," Natalie said.

"My daughters always had an innate athletic ability. However, it was with my foresight that I steered them in the direction of football and it's there they found their success."

With Natalie always cheering on her daughters from the sidelines, the Gosines also draw their strength from their father Tosca, as well as their aunts and cousins. Nikita said the family's support is strong and she's grateful for it.

Nikita's athletic ability isn't just restricted to the football field, as she also plays basketball and volleyball, with high praises coming from her school's volleyball coach Sean Morrison.

Football is her first love, though. She admires Cristiano Ronaldo's hard work and determination, and hopes her own hard work can take her to the highest of heights.

"I see myself playing for the Chelsea women's team in the next five-ten years," Gosine said, when asked about her future aspirations.

In July, Gosine's skills and talent were on full display when she helped Club Sando to the Women Warriors Wellness invitational tournament trophy, winning the MVP award in the process.

If she has things her own way, Nikita will one day get to rub shoulders with Lauren James in Chelsea blue.