London Warriors OT James Faminu: “We are capable of competing with anybody”
The London Warriors have transformed their 2026 AFLE season after a difficult start, putting themselves firmly in the playoff conversation. But are they legitimate championship contenders, or simply a promising team ahead of schedule? Left tackle James Faminu has no doubts about where the Warriors stand and his confidence is built on far more than talent alone.
London Warriors believe their best football is still ahead
For much of the season, the Warriors have been labeled a team on the playoff bubble. While critics continue to debate whether London belongs among the AFLE’s elite, Faminu believes the answer has been clear from the beginning.
„I always believed the London Warriors had the talent, coaches, players, and staff to compete for an AFLE championship,“ he said. „The deciding factor was always going to be time.“
As one of the youngest organizations in the league, London entered its inaugural AFLE campaign with limited time to build chemistry. According to Faminu, that challenge has become one of the team’s greatest strengths. „We’re no longer just a collection of talented individuals, we’ve become a brotherhood that plays, fights, and strains for one another,“ he explained. „That bond can take us further than talent alone ever could.“
Rather than trying to silence outside critics, the Warriors have adopted a different mindset. „The only people we have something to prove to are ourselves,“ Faminu said. „If we continue to be the best version of us, I believe everything else will take care of itself.“
Consistency has changed the Warriors‘ season
London’s turnaround has not happened by accident. Faminu believes the biggest development has been the team’s understanding of its own identity across all three phases of the game.
„As the season has gone on, we’ve found out who we are,“ he said. „Across all three phases—offence, defence and special teams—we’ve established our identities.“ His description of the team’s formula is one that perfectly reflects American football’s balance.
„Offence is our sword, defence is our shield, and special teams is our helmet,“ Faminu said. „When all three phases are working together, we’re capable of competing with anybody.“
That complementary football has helped the Warriors evolve from an inconsistent roster into one capable of challenging the league’s top teams.
Brotherhood defines the Warriors‘ championship mindset
Every championship-caliber team has a clear identity. For Faminu, the Warriors have created one that goes beyond their historic name.
„If I had to describe this team in one sentence, I’d say, ‚We are the London Warriors that only know how to advance forwards, never backwards,'“ he said. „We trust one another, we play for one another, and no matter the situation, we’re going to keep fighting,“ Faminu said. „Talent can win games, but belief and togetherness can carry you through an entire season.“
Why London wins and why it loses
Asked about the difference between London’s best and worst performances, Faminu pointed to one simple factor: teamwork. „The biggest difference is whether we’re playing for ourselves or for each other,“ he said.
„When we’re connected, trusting one another, and everyone is committed to doing their 1/11, we’re a difficult team to beat.“For an offensive lineman, the concept of every player executing their assignment is fundamental.
„Football is the ultimate team sport,“ Faminu said. „We’ve learned that success comes from everyone embracing their role and executing it at a high level.“
Contender or pretender? The Warriors already know their answer
Whether the rest of the AFLE sees London as a genuine title contender may not matter to the players inside the locker room. Faminu hopes the 2026 Warriors will ultimately be remembered for something greater than wins and losses.
„I want people to remember that we had fun,“ he said. „More importantly, I want people to remember the 2026 London Warriors as a group that left nothing on the field every single week.“
He finished with the message that best summarizes London’s identity: „If people look back and say this was a team that genuinely cared for one another, played for the man beside them, and never left anything in the tank, then I’d say we had a successful season.“
For a team that has grown together throughout its first AFLE campaign, that mindset may be exactly what turns the London Warriors from an emerging playoff team into a legitimate championship contender.
