Non-League and Academy football writer

Mostafa is the head-coach of Hounslow Lions FC, who play their football in The Russell Grant Division 2 of the Middlesex County Football League. This Saturday afternoon at Uxbridge FC (kick-off is at 1pm), Hounslow Lions will play in their first ever cup final, as they take on Kodak (Harrow) Reserves, in The Eddy Mee Division Two Challenge Cup final. Ahead of the final, I did an interview with Mostafa, about Hounslow Lions, and this Saturday’s final.

Could you talk me through a bit about your background in football?

Mostafa: I’m currently a UEFA B coach, and I have been coaching for quite a long time now. Most of last season (2024/25), I was with Feltham Town. Taking them to the final of the league cup, as well. However, I left them a couple of days before that final. In the middle of this season I got a phone call from the Hounslow Lions chairman, asking me if I wanted to join the club as head-coach. I said yes, and I’ve just taken it from there. 

What are some of your memories of Hounslow Lions’ run to the final of this season’s The Eddy Mee Division Two Challenge Cup?

Mostafa: We played three games before getting to the final, starting with the round of 16. The round of 16 game with Inv3ntive was the game which I remember the most, as it was my second or third game in charge of the team, and it was quite a good, but tough game, which we won 3-1. We then beat Heston 3-2 away, in the next round. Also, RF Elite, who we were awarded the win against despite losing to them in the semi-finals, are a very good team, I must say.

Could you talk me through a bit about this season (2025/26) with Hounslow Lions?

Mostafa: To be honest it’s been an up and down season so far. We’ve lost two or three teams from this league, who have folded, which has put us in a challenging position, because we’ve lost our points which we got from those games. I love commitment from the players, and unfortunately for whatever reason, some players ahead of the new year, did leave the club, which has also been challenging. But, reaching the final this season potentially makes it a great season. So in the second year of the club’s history, to reach a final is something really good. 

Finally, what are some of your thoughts ahead of the final this Saturday, against Kodak (Harrow) Reserves?

Mostafa: It’s going to be a great game of football. Kodak Reserves are first in our league, and I would say that they are probably the strongest team in the league. But, we are also a very good team, and so it will make it a very good game and cup final, even though it will be a difficult game. But, at the end of the final we will see who will lift the trophy.