Category: SOS

Purity Akuh is synonymous with wrestling and all his life revolves round the sport. As an athlete, he was a national champion and represented Nigeria at major competitions. For more than five years, his wards, including Odunayo Adekuoroye, have ruled the continent with global acclaim. For Purity, wrestling is life and through the sport, he has achieved a lot on and off the mat, writes Olalekan Okusan.

 

 

Apart from Odunayo Adekuoroye who has become the face of wrestling in Nigeria, Purity Akuh stood out as the man behind the successes of some of the finest female wrestlers on the continent.

As an athlete, he was humble and calm on the mat and his performance at national competitions aided his call-up to the national team. He also represented Nigeria at continental tournaments, which also helped him become one of the few Nigerian wrestlers to turn professional.

Akuh narrates his foray into wrestling: “I took to wrestling while I was in school because it’s all about supremacy so I wanted a combat sport that will give me an edge over my friends. Even at home and during our evening recreation, we wrestled to know who was the strongest. But I got involved in wrestling fully when I was too strong for my mates and it was a bit difficult for some senior ones to handle me. So I then developed deep interest in wrestling.”

From being a local champion in Ondo State, Akuh rose to become the national champion at the 2004 National Sports Festival in Abuja.

“At the national level, I became a national champion from 2004 to 2012 having won the 2004 National Sports Festival in Abuja. I represented Ondo State to retain the title again at the 2006 edition in Ogun State. This earned me a call-up to the national team where I was part of the team to the 2010 African Championship in Egypt. I was also able to get a professional club in Germany known as KFC in Leipzig, where I won several medals for the team,” he added.

After embarking on a six-month coaching course at Leipzig University, he decided to return home to take up coaching.

His words: “I spent six months with the KFC Club and after than I decided to enrol for a six-month coaching course at Leipzig University. It was while I was in Germany that I got a wind that Nigeria wrestling team was on a training tour in Germany.

“I decided to assist in the camp and it was there I met Daniel Igali who encouraged me to return home and join him to groom top wrestlers for the country.”

On his decision to turn to coaching, Akuh said: “I decided to become a coach because I have passion for the sport, especially to train athletes who will achieve much more than I did in wrestling.

“Also I wanted to help the youths to channel their energy into sports. Through the sport, fame and fortune have come my way and it has given me the chance to wine and dine with president, governors, and kings in Nigeria and abroad.”

On the uniqueness of wrestling as sport: “Wrestling is unique as a sport everyone understands (to take down). It is meant for mentally tough people compared to other sports.”

Describing wrestling as what his life revolves round, Akuh added: “Wrestling has really changed my life because it has given me opportunity to travel around the world. It has also given me opportunity to study and improve my standard as well as the ability to understand and relate with different kind of people.”

Watching Akuh relating with his athletes is like father to children tie and this, he said, has helped him to bring out the best in the wrestlers. “My relationship with my athletes is like father to son, daughter to daughter. We relate like friends and I am happy about it. I bring out the best in my athletes by designing proper training methods that involve scientific training and words of encouragement coupled with my cordial relationship with them has helped bring out the best in them.”

On why he has more female wrestlers than male, he said: “I have more of top female wrestlers than males because I started my coaching career with the female. Though I have a good number of male wrestlers that are doing well in both the national and international levels. The results we are getting from wrestling was made possible by the grace of God, hard work from both coaches and athletes coupled with athletes’ determination.”

Akuh would not want to remember what happened at Rio 2016 Olympic Games, when he said: “2016 Rio Olympics Games in Brazil  was my worst moment in wrestling. It was a major tournament I prepared my wrestlers for, unfortunately we could not make it to the podium. It was an experience I would not want to remember again.”

As long as Akuh would not want to refer to 2016 Olympic Games, he cannot forget some moments in his career, especially 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland. “My memorable moment as an athlete  was when I qualified  to represent my country in an international competition and we were in the plane with my green and white tracksuit. Also as a coach  I would cherish when Odunayo Adekuoroye and Aminat Adeniyi won gold respectively at Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland.”

To reaffirm his passion for wrestling, Akuh is ready to encourage his wards to take to the sport. “For now, none of my children is into wrestling as my boys are not up to the age. Hopefully, when they get to age 6 they will join me. But as for my daughters, I am at the edge of convincing them to join me,” he said.

Considering the honours that wrestling has brought to Nigeria, Akuh believes wrestling would soon be rivalling top sports in terms of popularity. “I am sure that in the next five years, wrestling will be more popular in Nigeria and we will be recording more medals at the world level and in Olympics as the platform is already built,” he added.

Apart from the goodies sports have given Akuh in life, his marriage was also a product of his romance with sport. “I met my wife through sports. She was then a basketball player and studying law at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). It was while doing sport that we met and we have been together since 2005; I believe we will spend the rest of our lives together,” Akuh enthused.

Already, Akuh is eagerly looking forward to Tokyo 2020 as an optimist who believes wrestling will fetch the country some medals. “I am very optimistic that wrestling will fetch Nigeria medals at Tokyo 2020. We are more experienced and we have the athletes that can deliver. We will not be too complacent but continue to train and hope to attend more competitions to get exposed to top class athletes that we may likely face in Tokyo. I am sure of our chances this year because our athletes are capable to make it to the podium this year,” he said.

For his philosophy of life, Akuh said: “My life philosophy is that with God all things are possible. Also I would want to be remembered as someone who made positive impact in people’s lives; a patriot and I also aspire to leave a legacy as the first wrestling coach to lead his team to world championships and Olympics by claiming gold medals for Nigeria.”

Apart from wrestling, Akuh likes relaxing, reading and listening to music, while his favourite colour is blue and white.

Akuh’s soft-spot for Toyota cars, especially highlander, cannot be underestimated.

For his efforts in 2017, Akuh was adjudged Coach of the Year at the annual Nigerian Sports Award while at the 2019 African Wrestling Championship in Tunisia, he was named the best coach of the tournament.

William Troost-Ekong became noticeable in the Nigeria’s defence line as one of the almost lookalike ‘oyinbos’ (a local parlance for fair skin or half caste Nigerians). The other member is Leon Balogun.  Gradually, the 6 ft. 3 tall player, who was born in the Netherlands into a mixed Dutch and Nigerian family, began to carve a niche for himself and he is today the vice-captain of the team. A feat achieved in five years, since he made his debut for the Super Eagles in June 2015 against Chad.

He was eligible for both Netherlands and Nigeria following appearances for the Netherlands at under-19 and under-20 youth levels, but he opted to commit his senior career to fatherland-Nigeria.

He made his senior international debut for Nigeria on 13 June 2015, playing 90 minutes in an AFCON qualifier against Chad and three starts for the senior team in 2016 before being selected by Nigeria’s under-23 team in their 35-man provisional squad for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. In June 2018, he was named in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Club career has taken him to England, after playing football at youth level for Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, the Netherlands for FC Groningen and FC Dordrecht, Belgium for KAA Gent, Norway for FK Haugesund, Turkey for Super Lig club Bursaspor and currently Italy for Udinese.

Troost-Ekong joined Italian Serie A club Udinese on 17 August 2018 and he has made 35 league appearances helping Udinese to a respectable 12th position, up to 14 spot on the standings.

For the Super Eagles, he has made steady progress to tie down a regular starting shirt and made his World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) debut. AFCON 2019 was particular impressive for him as he came out with a bronze medal at his first AFCON. He has also grown in stature in the team where he became vice-captain, less than five years after his first call up under Stephen Keshi and scored four times.

Now, his passion for Nigerian football has no bound and he believes that Nigeria has a crop of young players capable of taking Nigeria’s football to the next level and regaining the lost glory of the Super Eagles. He is particularly fond of the youngish trio of Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze.

He said: “When you look at the Nigerian team, you will agree with me that it is a team for the future. We have great young players that when they eventually mature will do great exploit. Wilfred Ndidi is someone that is already doing so well and I think he’s going to be a big name; hopefully, a household name within Africa. We have (Samuel) Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen. They are both doing well and ready to go the next level. They are so important to their teams now and not yet at their peak. They are young and would go a long way in their career. We should be proud of these players. At home, we may not know how big their profile is, but if you live in Europe, you can imagine their good profile.”

Outside football, Troost-Ekong, however, loves to talk about his pet project: fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). He’s now one of the leading faces for NTDs after he teamed up with New York-based the END Fund through his collaboration with Common Goal, the global football-for-good organisation.

In an interview with TAIWO ALIMI, the lanky player speaks more about life in Italy, the Netherlands versus Nigeria debate, his pet project and the future of the Super Eagles.

Life in Italy

I have lots of positives. Udinese is a great town with lots of Italian tradition. I feel great here and since I moved here August 2018, I have only missed a handful of games and I feel like I’m improving a lot. I really love living in Italy with my family. That is why I committed to another contract that would keep me here till 2023. I believe in the club and management and I’ve gained a lot since coming here. We have not done badly, but we can do better.

I’ve also become a better tackler since coming to Italy. I have to focus more on tactical positioning, decision making and this has given me the opportunity to be able to do more. I have developed more in that aspect of brain work.

Super Eagles

I’ve been in the Super Eagles for about five years and I think I’ve made good strides. I love the team make-up and can conveniently say that we are a family. Last year, I played in the Nations Cup for the first time. I was more relaxed than a year before when I also debuted at the World Cup. We played with more confidence even though we had a crop of young players. It was a great event for us and winning a bronze medal is very important to me. We were not given mush of a chance but we knew we had a lot to offer and we basically went for it. When we came to the AFCON, we felt more prepared and we did well to qualify the way that we did. One of the greatest matches at AFCON was the match against Cameroon where we had to fight back to win the game. Even against South Africa, to score so late and to pass the quarter-finals, I think our team showed great resilience. I hope that I would hang around for some time to win more laurels for the country. The matches have boosted my confidence in the team.

Team for the future

When you look at the Nigerian team, you will agree that it is a team for the future. We have great young players that when they eventually mature will do great exploit. Wilfred Ndidi is someone that is already doing so well and I think he’s going to be a big name; hopefully, a household name within Africa. We have (Samuel) Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen. They are both doing well and ready to go the next level. They are so important to their teams now and not yet at their peak. They are young and would go a long way in their career. We should be proud of these players. At home, we may not know how big their profile is, but if you live in Europe, you can imagine their good profile.

Netherlands vs Nigeria 

I was born in the Netherlands and played for the Netherlands at under-19 and under-20 youth levels, but I got my first senior call up from Nigeria. I’ve said it before that playing for Nigeria was the best decision for me. My parents were happy with that and same for my siblings.

I was given an opportunity by (Stephen) Keshi and I’m happy and satisfied looking back to that first game in 2015. I’m satisfied, I’m really happy with the place I am right now. I stand by my decision that it was always a dream to play for Nigeria. The pride I get playing for Nigeria, wearing the shirt, I wouldn’t want to trade that for anyone else. I’m very happy about my decision and wouldn’t change it for anything. I love coming back to Nigeria and meeting my family members back in Nigeria. Nigeria is my roots and I feel at home there.

Wearing the Nigeria colours is a lot exciting for me and I’m super happy when we do well and I’ve been at the other end of the stick too. My first game at the World Cup was pretty one of those moments when we gave away a penalty against Croatia and the impact on many people and how many people are thinking what would happen. The responsibility you feel at such moment is huge and you still have to give your best and be responsible for whichever the result goes.

Giving back to Africa 

The idea of doing something for my roots came to me immediately I started coming to Africa more regularly. The fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) is a great campaign because it affects millions of people in West Africa and Nigeria. I have notable people partnering me now because they see that I am passionate about this campaign. I’ve been on TV and the social media spreading the words and I’m glad to lend a hand in this direction.

Philosophy

I’m not that of an extrovert but when I have to speak up, I do; especially on the field because that is part of my work. And when I do not have to speak I keep quiet. (Ahmed) Musa for an example is a great captain and he does not speak too much. That fact, of course, does not take anything away from his leadership qualities. On the pitch, he shows everyone his intention and that works great for us all.

I like leadership that leads by example and not by making noise or shouting or speaking a lot.

Family matter 

The coming of my son, Oscar, is teaching me another kind of responsibility as a father; it is another responsibility. Being a father is real-life responsibility. It is a new responsibility and I guess I have to learn on the job too. But I’m really enjoying it.

Super Eagles returnee, Mikel Agu has describes his wife and baby son as his lucky charm. He speaks to Taiwo Alimi.

 

 

Vitória de Guimarães and Nigeria midfielder, Mikel Agu , has attributed his recent new found form to the arrival of his son, Stefano and marriage to heartthrob, Henrietta.   Agu, 26, got wedded to his wife in June 2017 and his son arrived in January of 2018.  The former Porto player said he experienced remarkable stability and upliftment after his marriage.   Two months after tying the nuptial knot, he moved to Turkish side Bursaspor on a season-long loan deal and played prominently to secure another loan spell back in Portugal with big club, Vitória de Setúbal.

Eighteen games and one goal helped Agu secure a permanent deal with Vitória de Guimarães and got called in Nigeria’s preliminary 30 man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, he did not make the final 23.

Speaking exclusively with Sport & Style, Agu noted that his game experienced psychological inspiration since he settled down in marital bliss.

“It’s been said that marriage and babies bring luck and I actually experienced it after my marriage to my wife, Henrietta, closely followed by the coming of my son, Stefano. For two years now I have experienced divine upliftment in my game and much stability. I have experienced more playing time and respect too.

“I must admit. The arrival of Stefano my son and the support from my wife have helped me. Thrice I was named for the Man of the Match awards while playing for Setubal on loan. My performance got me a renewed contract for the next four years at my parent club, FC Porto. I was also surprisingly called up into the Super Eagles. Getting marriage has given me stability.

He’s of the opinion that the marital bliss he has experienced also gave him a turnaround in the national team.

In November, Agu was recalled to the Super Eagles 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho, after almost a year since he last made an appearance for the team.

He said: “I’ve been very happy, I could not eat. It is a good thing that the goal came on the day I was recalled to the Eagles after a year absence. Coincidentally, the last time I played for Nigeria was in November and My Wife’s birth month is also November.”

So far this season, Agu has made six league appearances and scored his first goal in the 5-0 win over Belenenses.

Agu admits he has worked hard this season in anticipation of a recall to the national team.

“The dream of every African Player based abroad is to play for the national team. It doesn’t happen often so we tend to appreciate it a lot.

“I have always put in the work and told myself, one day the coach will notice me again and I will get my chance.”

“The feeling of being back is always wonderful for every footballer. For less than one year now injuries have kept me away from playing consistently. But I thank God I’m back again playing and I pray He keeps me stable this season.

“I believe one thing in football- there are people who work very hard to get to the top while some are naturally gifted. I believe I’m among that who is naturally gifted, that’s why even when I stayed out from playing for some time, my return was still phenomenal.”

He said the national recall also gingered him as he netted a 20 yarder in his club’s 5-0 spanking of Belenenses last October.

Though, he did not make the final list against Lesotho and Benin Republic, Agu noted that the Nigeria team is solid. “I’m happy to be back in the team. The coach has assembled a solid team and looking at the quality of players in camp, injuries and suspensions cannot have any effect on this current team because there are capable players to come in and fill any void at any time.”

Agu speaks further on his pet project, giving back and Europa League experience.

Europa League

Our Europa League journey has ended, mathematically. It was always going to be difficult because we were in a tough group with Frankfurt and Arsenal. For us now the major focus is the league because we’re fighting hard and working hard. The team is known to be a competitive side.

However there are so many things to take away. The London match against Arsenal was big and we did not disappoint our fans. That was my fifth game in the league and after the match I think I got ratings. I enjoyed playing in the midfield and that is one match that I did complete a lot of passes.

That experience would definitely help me in other matches.

Adopted name

Normally, the name Mikel came about after Mikel Obi played in the Under-20 World Cup. Then back in my street where I was playing football back in Benin City, Edo State, friends started calling me Mikel.

They said we have similar styles and that was how the name came about.

He is my mentor. He is a player I like so much, I followed his footsteps. He is my favourite player and we play in the same position. For instance at Chelsea he played at defensive midfield and in Bursaspor I play as a defensive midfielder too.”

Giving back

I’ve been privileged to join the train of Nigerian players abroad and I do remember how I started from a small youth club back in Benin-Edo state. That is why I want to give back and give other kids in my area the opportunity to also showcase their talents and follow their dreams.

It is in collaboration with BJ Foundation and the essence is for grassroots clubs in Benin City, the like of Benin Warriors, Rockers and Ine Stars to show their skills. I am thinking of making the tournament a yearly affair in order to encourage youngsters and give clubs and players one more competition to look forward to every year.

MIKEL AGU PROFILE 

Mikel Ndubuisi Agu started his career with grassroots team Megapp FC in Nigeria. He took part in the 2009 Copa Coca-Cola, where he was chosen as the best player of the tournament, attracting the interest of scouts. After the tournament, Agu joined the youth academy of Porto.

Agu was first signed under the Porto-U 19 setup training with the senior team with the occasional bench appearance. His development would see him play 2 seasons for Porto B before eventually getting an opportunity to play for the first team. Agu made his debut against Gil Vicente in a 2-1 win coming as a substitute for Josué. Doing so, he became the first Nigerian to play for the club. Following his wonderful performance in Porto B, the then manager Paulo Fonseca promoted him to the main team. He would then be sent on loan to gain experience playing in the first division.

Seeking playing opportunities at Porto, Agu was deployed mostly in the Porto B team, with whom he made 69 league appearances between 2012 and 2016. He completed over 30 appearances in each of the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 seasons.

At the start of 2015/2016 season, after making one appearance for Porto B, he went on loan to Club Brugge in the Belgian Jupiler league. He made just two league appearances as Brugge finished the season as league champions.

Agu was loaned back to the Portuguese league for the 2016-2017 season, which served somewhat as a breakout season for him. He made 27 league appearances, starting 25 times; and 34 total appearances in all competitions for Vitória Setúbal. He played a part as they made a run to the semi-final in the Taça da Liga. His much improved game-play ensured that he was finally recognized as a top player within his own right. His performances were also noticed by his country’s national team, leading to a call-up in 2017. This decision was made that he would be recalled to the Porto first team at the end of the season.

Agu’s style of play can be likened to former Chelsea player John Obi Mikel. He received the nickname “Mikel” from fans in Benin City, where he grew up, due to similarities in movement and overall play. He has an excellent close-control and has shown a very good passing range, complementing this with the vision to play long balls from the back. On occasion, he has shown the ability to control the tempo of the game. Defensively, he shows good anticipation and does not rush into his tackles, positioning himself just in front of the back four.

 

The big story is that Nigeria and Leicester United striker Kelechi Iheanacho is back on the beat after a lull in performance that kept him on the bench for months both for club and country.

The former Nigeria U-17 top scorer bounced back in December and has been directly involved in six goals in his last seven Premier League appearances for the Foxes bagging three goals and 3 assists Leicester united

In an interview he granted LCFC TV, he attributed his new found form to his upbeat attitude even when he was going through a difficult patch in his career.

Iheanacho was shut out of the Nigeria national team at this lowest point of his career.

He said: “It’s a good group, working together in training, so there wasn’t much difference with who played today and the players who are starting, so we are really good group and a good family.

“We’ve been working really hard in training. I think the whole squad, everyone that is playing, and us that are not getting playing time, so everyone is really together as a family.

“It’s a good group, working together in training, so there wasn’t much difference with who played today and the players who are starting, so we are a really good group and a good family.

“I’ve been working hard in training and it showed in the [game], so we’re happy.”

Iheanacho said he only needed little opportunity to prove himself. And the opportunity came when he was introduced by Brendan Rodgers on December 1st  in the EPL  match against Everton.

The Toffees had taken a lead in the 23rd minute through Richarlison de Andrade. Leicester weren’t creating a great deal and didn’t look at their best. At least this was the case until Rodgers tried to change things up, bringing in a player who hadn’t played in the Premier League so far this season; Iheanacho.

Immediately, there was a change in the tempo of the game, and Iheanacho was at the centre of it. He was businesslike and constantly trying to link up play. And only six minutes after he came on, he tasted the first fruits of his labour, gliding a ball across the goal for Jamie Vardy to comfortably slot in. 1-1.

The game went on; a cagey affair but Leicester the better looking of the sides, creating more with the change of shape that was influenced with the Iheanacho substitution.

In the fourth minute of added time: Ricardo Pereira tackles, laying it on to Youri Tielemans, who turns around, quickly bringing the ball forward, then sending a through-ball back to Ricardo who picked up the pace and  played a brilliant ball though to Iheanacho on the edge of the box. A fast exchange from right to left freed and he sent the ball flying to the far corner. It was a great comeback for Leicester and Iheanacho noted that fans have given him a nickname; Kelechi ‘game-changer’ Iheanacho.

Over the course of the month, Iheanacho would go on to keep this excellent form. He bagged another goal and an assist in what was a brilliant 4-1 victory over Aston Villa. And with Vardy being out, Kelechi also led the line and scored against West Ham United.

Iheanacho’s headed finish in London was his fifth and he underlined the importance of remaining sharp and delivering in training.

“It’s always a good feeling to get a goal in the team. So, as a striker, you always want to get a goal and I’m not playing too much, so you have to keep your mentality up there, so you need to keep going.

“Whenever you get a chance, you take it, so I just need to keep my head up, keeping working hard every day, so if I get my chance, I’ll take it.  I’ll keep going as a professional, so I just have to keep going,

“On a personal level, I’m excited, scoring again and assisting Jamie, so I just need to keep going and keep the level up, working hard in training to make sure I keep my head up,” he added.

“It’s very good to be a part of this great squad so I’m happy to be part of it and going forward we have fantastic players, great quality and talented players, so I’m happy to be part of it.

“Everyone is buzzing, everyone is happy. It’s a fantastic record and [we have] a great manager, great staff [and a] good group of players. I’m happy to be part of it. I feel we can win the next game and we’ll keep going and get more records,” he added.

Iheanacho is now one of the favourite players in the team with fans having great things to say about him.

Zakariya Connary penned the December edition of Fan’s View for LCFC.com, providing a supporters’ perspective on the form of striker Iheanacho

“When I look back at the month of December for Leicester City, one man stands above all others for me. That man is the excellent Kelechi Iheanacho. He has scored and assisted twice over his last two Premier League outings for the Foxes, which included a last-minute winner against Everton and City’s second goal at Villa Park after Jamie Vardy’s first of two strikes, while defender Jonny Evans also registered his first strike of the 2019/20 season. He’s the game-changer.”

 

*Adapted from lcfc.com

 

Taiwo Alimi

 

Prior to the UEFA Champions league Matchday 2 at the Bernabeu in Spain, Nigeria international Emmanuel Dennis was leading a quiet life in the ancient city of Bruges, Belgium. Though he had become a regular with Club Brugge having played over 60 matches since moving there in 2017, the away duel against serial European champions Real Madrid transformed his life and career.

The 22-year-old former U-15 was the toast of all on October 1, 2019 as he stole the show outpacing Madrid defence line led by Sergio Ramos to score twice before the shell-shocked Real rallied back to equalise in the second half.

Recalling the greatest moment yet in his youthful career, Dennis said the match made him hug the limelight.

“I was joking before that match that I would do a tattoo for a goal scored at The Bernabeu. I really wanted to do well in that match because I am great fan of Christiano Ronaldo. I wasn’t happy that they allowed him to go too.

“Bagging the three points would have been an even better feeling. Everyone expected Real to brush us off easily, but we came well prepared, with full belief in our own qualities. We believed something was in it for us here. When we took an 0-2 lead, it felt great; but it’s in the back of your mind that a top team like that can still set things straight. I’m a tad disappointed about that one point. But it’s a good thing that we managed to get a point away at Bernabéu. It’s still a massive team, a big name.”

Dennis looked back on his two goals: “I wanted to control the ball to have the keeper lie down with that first goal, but I missed my control and got out of balance and managed to get it in with my other foot. With that second goal, I controlled the ball and wanted to fire straight away, but when I saw Courtois come out at large, I decided to chip it.”

In-fact, Dennis got a chance to score the third goal that would have buried Real at home, but Courtois saved the day.

He said of the miss: “It’s a pity about that third opportunity, the keeper saved it well. I didn’t want to go for that corner, but he really forced me to.”

At the end of the match, he was the focus of the cameras and by next day his face was splattered all over the newspapers.

“I was asked all kinds of questions from how I scored the two goals and missed a hat-trick, a kind of history for me and the club and why I celebrated like Ronaldo. They even remembered my tattoo plan. It was an overwhelming time but I tried to answer all questions with a smile.”

The brace was in itself historic as Dennis became the third Nigerian to have scored against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. The other two players to have achieved this feat are James Obiorah for Locomotiv Moscow in the 2002/2003 season and Ayila Yussuf for Shaktar Donetsk in the 2003/2004 season.

“It was later that I learnt that my Ronaldo celebration did not go down well with the local fans. I wanted to remind them that letting him (Ronaldo) go was a bad idea. He is my idol and the best striker that I know. I like Christiano and for me he is the best player in the world,” the Brugge striker said.

“I was sad when he left Madrid and I celebrated my goals like that to show them that they lost something.”

Coming to Belgium and Bruges, Dennis said is one of the best decisions he has taken. “I am happy to have scored two goals, we really wanted to win the game and we were not far away, so we had to settle for a point, which is already a good result. But I think it was down to the effort of the whole team; it would not be fair to say that it is due to my two goals.

“The confidence that I have is down to the team handlers. They have been very supportive since I got here and I have learnt new tricks overall.”

Suffice to add, Dennis left Spain a different person now sought by some of the biggest teams around the world.

“I am here (Club Brugge) now but I’ve been told that some clubs are interested in having my signature. It is down to my club and let’s see how it goes.”

Dennis is highly favoured to make a giant move to England in January.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Leicester City, Lyon, Fenerbahce, and Monaco are all believed to have monitored Dennis in the past few seasons.

Dennis dug into memory lane to share experiences about growing up, childhood career crush, life in Ukraine and now Belgium.

Growing up    

I was born in Yola in northern Nigeria and I grew up in the Army barracks where I played a lot of street soccer. I was poached on the street by a football academy in Abuja before featuring for  the Nigeria’s U-15 side. Growing up, I played football for leisure but my childhood crush was to become a priest or a medical doctor. I am very spiritual, even from when I was a kid and whenever we were playing I was always called upon to pray. I did not give football much thought until I was asked to join the national U-15 team. The mentorship I got there changed my focus and form there I began to see myself building a career in football.

Ukraine

The first opportunity to play in Europe was with Zorya Luhansk in 2016. By that time, I’ve been told my many coaches that I have what it takes to do well, even in Europe; so the move came at the right time. I played for the team about three months after joining them and I scored in that particular match.

The fans there really loved what I was doing and they likened me to the Brazilian player Neymar. This is because I love to run the ball to the opponent and dribble them to create chances. I do a lot of running and because of that my teammates like to get the ball to me because they know I would take any defence head on. That kind of worked for me and made me popular among the fans who always crave for exciting football.

From here, I played other games and scored some more goals. I even played in the Europa League. I was ready to learn new things and that helped me to mature quickly. In all, I played 22 games and scored six times excluding many assists.

Club Brugge 

Club Brugge came for me in 2017 and they put me on quite early. But I reciprocated the confidence reposed in me by scoring five goals in six matches. A memorable match was against Gent. I was doing my usual thing, running at the defence line and that helped us to beat them 3-0. I’m happy with how we played as a team. We played, brimming with confidence, and with fine football. Every game is important and you have to try and win them all. We brought some quality football to the table, applying fine pressure which helped us to achieve great performances. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Unwinding

I like to play PlayStation a lot but I indulge in other games too like table tennis and basketball when I’m not playing football. I listen to different kinds of music and this I do to keep me focused before a match. I love to dance too.

Tattoo lover?

I don’t like tattoo that much. I don’t think I have done any either. I said I would be doing tattoo if I scored in the game against Real Madrid but that was nothing but a joke. I did not do any. It was just a bluff and that is all it is. I don’t like tattoo that much.

Religion  

I am highly spiritual. Where I come from we are highly religions and it starts for me from the home. My mum is always praying for us and we go to church a lot. From my teenage days, I’ve cultivated the belief in the ultimate one called God; I’ve learnt to depend on him at all times.  I see this world as a journey and heaven as home and I wish I make heaven at the end of my journey here.

Role model

My father is my role model. He motivates me. I love Ronaldo too because he plays good football and he works hard too. I want to emulate him in every game I play.

Favourite food

My favourite food is pounded yam and okro soup. It is a Nigerian delicacy.

 

EMMANUEL DENNIS BIODATA

Full name: Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis

Born: November 15, 1997, in Yola, Nigeria

International: Nigeria U-15,U-23, Super Eagles

Professional clubs:

Zorya Luhansk-Ukraine: Scored six goals in 22 league games

Club Brugge-Belgium: Scored 16 goals in combine 62 games

Player’s qualities: Talented forward, pacey, mainly operates on the right-wing, very direct, likes to run at his marker

Teams interested in the player: Arsenal, Lyon, Fenerbahce, Monaco, Leicester.

Price tag: £12million

Taiwo Alimi

 

As the only Nigerian and African in the 100 best women footballers in the world 2019 packaged by the influential London Guardian, and in line for the CAF African Women Player of the Year 2019 for the fourth time, Asisat Oshoala has attributed the on-going Asisat Oshoala Football Championship for Girls holding at Campos Mini Stadium Lagos, as part of her quest to be responsible and give back to the society.

The first phase of the clinic which has become an annual event is aimed at discovering talented girl footballers in Nigeria and Africa and helping them achieve their dream of playing for world-rated clubs in Europe.

In collaboration with FC Barcelona Academy, the final phase of the clinic will hold from Dec 21-24 where the best of the over 100 talents that started the journey will be selected and processed for Europe.

Speaking exclusively with The Nation, the Barcelona and Nigeria striker who on Wednesday again made the iconic 100 female players of the world list, a second year running, said the clinic and other giving were not to showcase herself but to make her responsible and complete.

The Guardian citation on Oshoala, who jumped 31 places from 86th to 55th from the 2018 edition, goes thus; “After helping Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title at the end of 2018, Oshoala embarked on an exciting new journey with Barcelona in 2019 after some time in China. It couldn’t have started much better as Oshoala found the net three times in her first two games and she has been one of the club’s most consistent goal scorers since. She scored a further four goals before finding the net in the Champions League final against Lyon. With her pace, skill and finishing ability, Oshoala was on target at the World Cup but her best form has been seen this season. Two goals in a 6-1 demolition of Atlético Madrid set the tone before she went on to find the net in five consecutive games, scoring six goals.”

The Super Falcons star described herself as sometimes a lone fighter who takes up whatever she believes in without waiting for anyone. That, she said, was behind her resolve to take up the task of liberating girls through her foundation.

On an individual level, she has won awards from everywhere. She was the first BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2015, has won African Women’s Player of the Year award three times and several others.

She said all that awards make no sense if she cannot be responsible for people who are vulnerable in the society.

The fight for the girl-child is uppermost in her heart now.

Oshoala added: “I have an opportunity through football. It is something I acknowledge and I’m grateful for, but beyond football, I am fully concentrated on my foundation.

“Even when I’m not around, my foundation takes care of the less-privileged. We’ve been involved in feeding programmes, especially during Ramadan periods, visiting schools, distributing books and educational materials to students and even partnering with a major pharmaceutical company to donate drugs and health equipment to hospitals.

“I believe it’s the only way I can connect with the grassroots. I have a world outside football and that is exactly why I am fully committed to my youth empowerment programme and other social projects.

“Life is all about opportunities. I won’t say I was the best player among my friends in those days. I think I am fortunate and feel I must be responsible for the others and younger ones coming after.”

Oshoala hinted that her foundation has also been doing behind the scene consultation with parents of talented girls to make them understand the need to support their girl-children who aspire to become professional footballers.

“I am trying to change the mentality and help this generation to believe they can achieve whatever they want. With my foundation, I want to help the under-privileged girls, so that they attend school and play football at the same time.”

The 2019 edition of the football clinic where hundreds of young girls, including parents, are enlightened and educated on how their female children can become professional footballers is ongoing in Lagos currently.

“We have brought in the academy wing of my club FC Barcelona to help us out and partner with us because they have the expertise and we have coaches from them coming to see with their own eyes. Also my colleagues from my former club, FC Robo, are on ground to oversee things for me.

Oshoala is also in the forefront of anti-drug campaign as a Lagos State Anti-Drug Ambassador. “I have achieved by staying drug free, so we tell and sensitise the young ones against drug abuse and motivate them to be believe in themselves,” she said.

For longest serving Super Eagles coordinator (2007-2015), Emmanuel Danjuma Attah, he knew what he wanted, even as a kid. He wanted to play, coach and administer football and he achieved all, first from the streets and later in an organised set-up, writes Taiwo Alimi.

Attah, who was part of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON- winning Nigeria team after 19 years of drought and worked with seven managers, began to show traces of his undying love for football and his leadership qualities at a tender age.

“I grew up like most youngsters playing street football in Zaria – Kaduna State. An open field by the Catholic Church at No. 90 Yoruba Street used to be our ‘Maracana stadium’. One of the Irish Catholic priests at that time, Father Thomas, occasionally joined us to play and train us. While at the St. Theresa Primary School (Aminu LGA) Zaria, at the close of school, instead of going home, we would gather at the school play ground to play football. Our balls then were empty cans of milk, because we could not afford to buy the real football. Some of us bought rubber shoes to serve as boots; others played with their pair of slippers. We nicknamed ourselves ‘Gongoni Rangers’ which means ‘Tin Rangers.’ I went on to play for my secondary school, Kufena College Wusasa, Zaria. I actually started playing football as a supporting striker but one of my seniors in secondary school who was also a great footballer by name Kasimu Bayero ‘Abana’ converted me to a goalkeeper, when there was no goalkeeper for us during an inter- house competition.

As a secondary school player he also put together his own team, which he coached and managed.

“I formed an U-13 Team named Zaria Tornadoes, and we competed for the Zaria U-13 Cup in 1979, which we won. One of my players then is the current Super Falcons coach, Christopher Danjuma, and some of my players like Francis Obinwe, Victor Wikadason went on to play for the Super Eagles.”

Sometimes, Attah had to pay the full price to keep his team going, yet he kept going.

“One time when we got to the final, I wanted a new set of jerseys for my ‘boys’. I had no money to purchase one. My late mum (God bless her soul) had given me money to deposit in the bank, instead I used it buy a set of jerseys and canvass shoes for my team. I was silently praying she does not ask for the money soon until I get my Benue State scholarship money, but alas she one day suddenly asked me to withdraw some money for her. Not knowing what to do, I told her you must give the bank at least one week notice (laugh). She was angry, asking why a bank should tell her when to withdraw money. Luckily for me, I got my bursary on a Monday of the following week and paid back. I was relieved.”

He also formed the first Female U-13 team in Kaduna State.

“They matured to be known as the Zaria Queens. It was really fulfilling to do all this as a youngster.”

Attah went on to play for his university, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Kayalwa FC Katsina, Lagos NEPA, and briefly for Zaria Rangers and ABU FC. The team got promotion into the then National Division one and he won the soccer event of the Nigeria University Games (NUGA) in 1993 with them. He played at the World University Games in 1993 and was invited to the national U21 (Flying Eagles) team coached by James Peters.

Though his active days as a footballer was cut short, no thanks to a serious knee injury in 1996, he quickly stepped into an administrator’s shoes.

“My quest to be a sports administrator led me to contest for the office of director of sports of the Students’ Union in 1981, which I won massively. My highest number of votes was from the female hostels. Current Honourable Minister, Goddy Jedy Agba, was in the same executive union as the financial director.”

Gradually, he moved up the ladder, working as an ad-hoc staff of the NFF from 2002 – 2015. He served in different administrative capacity. Welfare Officer,  Nigeria U-20 Flying Eagles Team (2002), Camp Commandant, Nigeria U-23 Team (2003 – 2004), Camp Commandant,  U-17 Golden Eagles (2005), and Team Coordinator,  Super Eagles (2007 – 2015).

Describing his time with the Super Eagles as challenging and interesting, he noted the ‘sleepless nights, sadness and joy, tensions, putting your life at risk especially in away matches.’

“Some teams would plant ‘juju’ (fetish object) in our dressing room. Most of the time, I had to clear the way by going to the dressing room first. I had to pick up fetish things and flush or throw them away, but with tact. There was a situation in Congo in 2015 when a policeman corked his gun and threatened to shoot me if I attempted to go into our dressing room. I told him to go ahead and shoot. It took the intervention of the match commissioner for me to gain entrance. What we saw in the dressing room was appalling and Enyimba FC chairman, Chief Felix Anyansi, was a witness to the drama.”

However, there were great moments with the Super Eagles. “I got the trust of the players and coaches and worked successfully with them. We won the AFCON bronze medal in 2010, and in 2013 were champions. We also qualified for CHAN for the first time.

The Super Eagles qualifying for two World Cups: 2010 and 2014 were all great moments.

“The greatest moment was winning the AFCON 2013. It was simply awesome, amazing, I just couldn’t believe it that we have won the African Cup after 19 years and me being part of the success story, even though I knew we worked really hard and made a lot of sacrifice.  I can safely say that 95% of Nigerians never really believed in us, but we believe in ourselves. There were so many distractions especially when we started poorly. But in the end God gave us victory. I was in a dreamland, in fact, and the then media officer, Ben Alaiya, and I on getting to our hotel sat by the swimming pool alone without talking for one hour before getting to know it was real. Thereafter, we joined others in the celebration. God rewarded us for our dedication and fasting all through our matches. I call that team ‘the glorious 2013 set.’

Of the seven head coaches he worked with, namely Beti Vorgt, Austine Eguavoen, Lars Lagerberg, the late Ahmadu Shaibu, Samson Siasia, the late Stephen Keshi and Daniel Amochachi, Attah said he is greatly inspired by late Eagles skipper and coach, Keshi. “Keshi was a great patriot. He wanted the best for the nation. He was a father.”

Currently, Attah serves as Coordinator, NYSC Osun State, and in his usual style has set about rejuvenating the new NYSC area office.

“The essence is the provision of effective monitoring and strengthening of operational and administrative effectiveness of the scheme at the grassroots level. It will also ensure proper supervision of the corps members in all their activities like the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development (SAED) programme, community development service (CDS) etc, in view of the ever increasing corps population. Furthermore, the work load of the state secretariat will be reduced through a decentralisation process.

“The South West zone which I am heading has its headquarters in Osogbo, State of Osun. We have just started operations but I can assure you that the work is tasking, challenging and interesting. The state government has provided a beautiful office located at Mallam Tope, Ring Road, Osogbo. We have carried out a lot of advocacy visits across the states in the South West. We have gone round some state secretariats and orientation camps to see the staff and corps members, while ascertaining their welfare. Also, camp facilities are inspected to ensure they meet the required standard,” he noted while opening up on other matter. Excerpts:

Sweet bitter memories

I have sweet and bitter memories of my active playing days. My best time was my invitation to the Flying Eagles under Coach James Peters and the World University Games team under the late coach Segun Olumodeji in 1993. Leading ABU FC to get the promotion ticket from Div. 2 to 1 without a defeat, winning the 1993 NUGA gold medal in Ilorin, which happens to be the last time ABU has won such medal. Playing for Kayalwa FC Katsina and winning the State Challenge cup, I think in 1990. I played for Lagos NEPA. Peter Fregene was one of my coaches. I also played for Zaria Nasara and briefly for Zaria Rangers. The bitter side was when I sought for permission while in the Flying Eagles Camp to go and write my final examination, to return the following day. I was asked to choose between football and academics, I chose the latter and today I don’t regret that decision I took.

Motivators

The people that influenced me are the late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, former Secretary General and Board member Nigeria football Federation, Alhaji Omachi Sani Lulu Abdullahi, former President NFF and APC governorship candidate Kogi State and also the late Brig General Bomai former Director General National Youth Service Corps.

AFCON 2015 saboteurs

Simple. We were sabotaged!! But for these unpatriotic elements, we could have qualified and won the AFCON back to back. These persons are alive and they know themselves. May their conscience continue to prick them? I have already given a detailed interview on what transpired, so let us allow the sleeping dog. It is a sad side of history when someone who is supposed to be an NFF board member confronts you and to your face state that ‘did you people think you can win your matches without us, even in South Africa you will lose’. You now meet the referee of the match to question his bias officiating against us at home, only for him to say it is what your country wanted. We did our best to qualify but too many forces were against us.

Philosophy

Never give up in whatever you want to achieve in life. Always believe that you will succeed.

Unwinding

I read newspapers and watch my favourite club, Arsenal FC of England, even though they have of recent been giving me headache due to their poor performance. Kano Pillars is my Nigeria favourite club. I also occasionally go out with friends if I have the time.

Family

I am married to Oluwakemi Betty and blessed with three children; two boys one girl. One of the boys played football. The girl is a football enthusiast. She was once in the NFA U13 female football team. For very personal reasons I did not encourage her to go further. Her favourite player is Osaze Odewengie. In Osaze’s active days they do communicate and he once bought her an ipad.

Current state of Nigerian football

The performance of Nigerian football teams with the exception of the Super Eagles has been disappointing of recent. The Super Falcons will not be in the Olympics, home-based Eagles are out of CHAN, U17 are out of the World Cup. But let us not lose hope. We can still get it right only if the NFF can overhaul the coaching crew of some of these teams. The U17 is full of talents, but the coaches never got it right with their strategy. You could easily predict the way the team will play. I have always advocated that Nigerian coaches must develop themselves. They don’t have to wait for the NFF. Look at coach Bisso, Austin Eguavon, and Haruna Ilerika from time to time sponsor themselves for refresher courses in Europe. How many of our coaches are ICT compliant? At times I watch the training session of some of our teams and feel disappointed with what they impact on these lads.

The NFF, to be very candid, have done their best and still doing it to give our teams adequate preparation and cater for their welfare. However, all these side attractions of court cases or investigation will not allow them settle down to give their best. Let peace reign.

If not football…

Doing what I am doing now; working in an organisation that grooms future leaders of this great country.

Likes & dislikes

I like honesty, loyalty and sincerity. I dislike betrayal of trust.

Youth International Orji Okwonkwo who was voted the 2019 Most Outstanding Player by Major League Soccer side, Montreal Impact, speaks candidly about his career evolvement after he scored a career-defining goal for Nigeria at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. He spoke with MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN.

 

OKWONKWO VERBATIM

 

On passion outside football

Aside football and playing ping pong (table tennis), I love schooling.  I was a good art student and I can draw so much. This is another gift from God and I actually started drawing when I was young; and maybe I would   have been a good artist than a footballer.As per football, Nwankwo Kanu and Thomas Muller of Germany really inspired me; I have watched some of their games on television and they were great players; and it is my prayers that I become a great player too.

On being part of the 2015 World Cup-winning team

What made the 2015 Golden Eaglets special was the fact that we all worked together as a team. We truly understand ourselves and worked for the success of the team; and my best pal in the team  was Kingsley Michael because he understands me more than anyone in the team. Kingsley knew what I  like and what I don’t like; and also he knew what I can do and what I cannot do; we understood each other perfectly.

On fond love for mother

The first person I called after I signed for Bologna was actually my mother because I can’t forget all what she did for me. Right from the beginning she was the only one that believe in me; when everything was not going well she pushed me a lot that’s why I can never do anything without her.

“She won’t be joining me in Italy because I still need to settle down for now; and once I’m settled, I would gladly welcome her to my home in Italy.

“Playing football means a lot to me because when I was young, my mother always told me that I would be a great.

 

 

Though the worth of a striker is weighed in the amount of goals he scored in the year under review, strikers most often than not etch in their memories a particular goal they often consider the most special in their careers. It is such goal that Nigeria bubbly youth international Orji Okwonkwo has now described as his own career-changing goal-the wonderful (one-derful) goal that has led him to where he is today.  A little over four years ago and precisely on 5th November 2015, Okwonkwo, in the FIFA U-17 World Cup semi-final match at the Estadio Municipal de Concepción in Chile, scored the goal of his life with an uncommon gusto and élan in that famous 4-2 win over Mexico.

Indeed, that goal against the El Tri is a marker as the rangy forward broke loose through the South American midfield and defence before unleashing a thunderous volley inside the net off the crossbar.

“The goal I scored at the 2015 World Cup in Chile is one of the best goals and if not the best goal of my career so far,” the 20-year-old Okwonkwo, who was named by Major League Soccer (MLS) side Montreal Impact as its Most Outstanding Player for 2019, said in an interview with The Nation.“ That goal against Mexico in the semi-final  broughtme from nothing to something.

“It was a very good goal and it will always be special to me. Nobody expected I could score with that powerful shot and, honestly, I didn’t know it would go straight into the net; it was so amazing. Scoring that kind of goal will always make me smile and happy.

“It was the goal that Bologna saw and they said ‘you would be a great player in future’ and it’s that particular goal that brought me to where I’m today.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank coach Emmanuel Amuneke and all the Golden Eaglets’ technical and backroom staff for allowing me to showcase my talent at the World Cup.

“Coach Amuneke, I want to thank you for all that you did for me. The most important thing about winning the 2015 World Cup is the confidence it gave to many of us and without going to the World Cup, I may not be where I’m today.”

Of course, Okwonkwo has since grown from that blue-eyed teenager to an impactful striker after some apprenticeship at Serie A side, Bologna, and his worth was there for all to see yet again at Canadian outfit, Montreal Impact, despite being a loanee.

“My career has been amazing after the 2015 World Cup victory in Chile and I have been enjoying my football even though there had been ups and down,”explained the former Abuja College of Football striker and two-time winner of the annual Karanka Reveria Invitational Tournament in Croatia in 2013 and 2015. I enjoy playing football and that is the only thing I do.

“My best moment at Bologna was when I was given my first game; my debut in the Serie A in November 2016 against Palermo because I was not expecting to be featured in that game because I was so young.

“But the coach gave me the chance and, as we say in football, ‘when they give you chance, you have to just take’.

“ I took my chance right from that first game and everything started going smoothly for me.  I started playing in the first team and everything has been going well.”

His first goal for Bologna did arrive a year later in the game against Sassuolo but he was soon loaned out to Brescia before finally landing in Canada with Montreal Impact in February as a loanee.

“I was shocked when I was told I was the best player of the team in the MLS for 2019 because I just came to the team on loan to prove a point,” he explained.

“Before my arrival, one player had been winning the award for the past four seasons. I just want to thank the club for everything; that award is important to my career because I only went to Montreal to prove a point.”

Of course, the standard of the MLS  can’t be compared with life in the Serie A, Okwonkwo reckoned  the experience remains invaluable to him, saying he would always have a fond memory of his stay at Montreal Impact.

He said: “The difference between playing in Europe and in the Major League Soccer (MLS) is not much. The MLS is not as open as the European leagues but it’s my opinion that the MLS is growing into a very big thing especially if the fans remain very enthusiastic.

“Before going to play in the MLS, I had the mind-set that it wasn’t a very strong league because I thought it was only for old people.

“I decided to go to the MLS not because of the money but I wanted to prove a point and it worked out for me. I’m very happy to have been part of Montreal Impact last season because I did so well too.

“I was named the Most Valuable Player for the season and I think that was great response from me.  I really appreciate the management and staff of Montreal Impact for giving me such a great platform top showcase my talents.”

It was on the strength of his outstanding performance with Montreal Impact that he was drafted into the Olympic Eagles that failed to cross the Tokyo 2020 Rubicon at the CAF U-23 AFCON recently in Egypt.

But Okwonkwo can still look back to his performance with personal satisfaction after being among the goals in the team’s win over Zambia at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo – it was his first goal in the national team colour after a long drought.

It was three years, three months and 20 days; precisely 1, 2007 after the day Okwonkwo scored one of the goals for the coach Emmanuel Amuneke-led Flying Eagles against Sudan in that shock home 4-3 home defeat at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on 23rd July 2016.

“I am very happy to score my first goal for the Nigeria Under-23 team,” the FC Bologna striker currently on loan to Canadian outfit, Montreal Impact, said in an exclusive interview with NationSport. “The game against Zambia was actually my third game for the under-23 national team after the game against Libya and Sudan in Asaba during the qualifiers for the AFCON, so I’m so happy that I have finally scored my first goal for the team.”

Unfortunately, the Olympic Eagles’ were stopped in their flight to get a ticket to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Football Tournament. Okwonkwo remains giddy with optimism that his future as well as that of his other teammates in the historic Golden Eaglets’ class of 2015 is well assured.

“I think we are still going to see many  players from the 2015 Golden Eaglets in the Super Eagles in the nearest future,” noted Okwonkwo who scored an impressive 13 goals in 55 friendly and official  matches with the 2015 Golden Eaglets that paraded the likes of new Super Eagles stars, Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen.  “I feel so great that we have both Chukwueze and Osimhen currently in the Super Eagles. I know the rest of us still have the chances to join them but we just have to work hard.

“Both Chukwueze and Osimhen really worked well with their clubs in Europe to be called for the Super Eagles.

“We just have to hope for the best and work our way up because I know many of us from the 2015 Golden Eaglets are still coming; and I’m taking about players like Kelechi Nwakali, Kingsley Michael and many others. I can’t wait to see some of these guys in the Super Eagles.”

Somehow, Okwonkwo would have been lost to football because while growing up on the streets of Benin, schooling appealed so much to him and he was already contemplating on becoming an artist (he said he was good at drawing).

But thankfully, his mother pushed him towards the dream of playing professional football: “I can do anything for my mum. She is my backbone and she has been there for me ever since. I really thank God that she brought me to this world so that I can show people what I can do. Of course, we’ve had ups and down but she has always been there for me. I really appreciate her.”

Though Okwonkwo remains gregarious outside the pitch, he reckoned further that nothing else matters to him than the beautiful game of football.

“I like dancing alot; I like music too,” he said with breathy purr. “I do all these to while away time especially when I’m sad.

“I just play music and dance to it when I’m sad. Davido is my favourite artist and I like his music very well. I love fashion too.

“But there is no way I can leave football for anything like modelling or music. I have been involved with football since I was young and I don’t think I can go anywhere except football.

“Football is my life. I think about football every minute and there is nothing that can take me away from football.  I just want to concentrate on my career and go as far as I can,”noted the Ebonyi State-born striker.

 

Inform FC Crotone’s Nigeria international, Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo, simply called Simy by admirers, has yet spoken about life in international wilderness since 2018 after he made the squad against all odds to Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. Frank and articulate as ever, Simy speaks candidly about his resurgence in the Italian Serie B as well as his expectations for the future in this frank conversation with MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN.

 

FC Crotone striker, Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo, is regarded as one of the coolest Nigerian footballers ever because he bears his burden with an unrivalled equanimity while his disposition to life beyond the beautiful game of football is very profound. Though the 27-year-old is yet to add to his five international caps for the Super Eagles since 2018, he remains unperturbed despite his fine goal scoring form with Crotone in the Italian Serie B.

“Coming back to the Super Eagles, as I’d always say, is not about obsession for me,” explained the former Gil Vincente striker who has scored seven goals in 11 Serie B matches for Crotone in the on-going campaign.

It is over a year ago that Simy, as Nwankwo is well-known, made his international debut for the Super Eagles in a pre- Russia 2018 World Cup international friendly match against DR Congo on 28th May 2018 in Uyo.

At Russia 2018, he played twice as a second half substitute in the match against Croatia and Argentina; and later featured only twice thereafter in the friendly match against Czech Republic as well as the   farewell match for the president of Liberia, George Weah, in Monrovia  where he scored his first and only goal yet for the Super Eagles.

“It’s something (playing for the Super Eagles) you look forward to as a Nigerian player and you keep your eyes and hope to get back into the team. But for me it’s not an obsession,” continued Nwankwo who was rewarded with Crotone’s Player of the Month for October. “To be honest (playing for the Super Eagles) is not a zero obsession for me.

“I focus on what I am doing (at my club), trying to work hard and give the best I can.

“Of course, it’s not something (playing for the Super Eagles) that I can decide alone. You have the coaches and so, I must just keep supporting the team even from the outside while I focus on what I’m doing and wait for my time.”

Indeed, Simy has turned his attention on helping the Rossoblu (The Red and Blues) regain promotion back to Serie A and his rich vein of form is there for all to see since he’s second top scorer in Serie B slightly coming behind Pietro Lemmello of Perugia who has nine goals in 11 matches.

“The team (Crotone) is in good spirit, so I think we should be looking out for a good and positive season. And, hopefully, we can go far away better from what we had last year,” noted the 1.8 million Euros-rated striker who has also scored a goal in as many games for Crotone in the Coppa Italia after that 4-3 thrashing of Arezzo.

“Of course the ambition is there, so we can’t hide under any shadow that we want to move forward. We only need to step forward and try to gain promotion back to the Serie A.

“I am hopeful and the feeling is good, so we are expecting a very good and positive season.”

Incidentally, Simy’s arrival coincided with Crotone’s ascendancy as they were promoted to the Italian top flight (Serie A) for the 2016–17 season for the first time in their history.

In that first season, they finished 17th but secured spot in the next Serie A season after beating Lazio 3–1 on the last match day. But in the 2018-19 season, Crotone failed to avoid relegation after their loss against Napoli in the last match of the Serie A campaign and returned to Serie B just after two seasons in the top flight.

“It has been a very great experience for me in the Serie B,” Simy said in a file interview with The Nation.

“When we (FC Crotone) came to Serie B, I knew it was going to be difficult because it’s a new environment for me and, to be honest, I met on ground a very competitive league because the level is high.

“You have more matches to play and it is a tough league to play in due to the fact that we have a lot of players with Serie A experiences.

“This is football and everything is always challenging and one must be ready to play in the tough leagues and in the top football countries where the standard is high; and it has been a very good experience here in the Serie B.”

Last season, he notched an impressive 14 goals in 38 Serie B matches and in four seasons at the modest club, Simy on the last count has scored 33 goals in 125 matches.

But he reckoned his priority was to ensure the return of Crotone to Serie A rather than being obsessed with personal goals and glory.

“Personal targets and accolades are not for me,” assured Simy in his usual philosophical hue. “But the only thing is we (Crotone) intend doing better than the last one and good if we can pull everything together. I can score more goals than last season.

“I think it’s a better target for a player to improve everytime, every period of your life trying to be a better portion of yourself and that’s what personally I’m doing.

“Of course, we have to wait till the end of the season to see how the numbers add up but I’m just focusing on helping the team as much as I can for now.”

There is something special about Simy, especially his deep thoughts about every facet of life which is quite unlike today’s footballers that are obsessed with individual glory and gongs.

We are in that time of the year when prizes and plaques are being handed to deserving footballers and the 197cm-tall striker said it would always be a tall order for all football fans to agree on the choice of the best players at every point in time.

He said: “Honestly, I am not a fan of individual awards because at the end of the day, it’s a matter of personal choices; that’s the way I see it.

“You can make a choice of who you like and you don’t like for reasons only you can defend but for me at the end of day, it should be about the team’s success at the end of the day.

“Generally, English football was a great success in Europe last season and I want to agree that Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk was very outstanding and he made a massive difference for Liverpool both in the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

“He (Van Dijk) was the leader in the strongest defence in Europe last season and frankly, I think he deserves all the accolades he gets. Van Dijk had a fantastic season; he did very well and Liverpool nearly won the English Premier League when they had 97 points which was just one point behind that of the champions, Man City, that had 98 points.

“But he did well by winning the Champions League, so I think he deserved to be so honoured as the best player in Europe because he was a phenomenon last season.”

Yet unlike every follower of the game on the continent, Simy is not particularly miffed that African players are being handed the short end of the stick as far as considerations for individual awards are concerned despite their impressive performances across the European leagues.

“Chances of African player to win the Ballon D’Or?” he asked with incredulity. “But as I said earlier, life is not about winning individual awards and primarily for me, it has to be overall success of the team.

“It has to be how we play as a team and depends on how successful the team is at the end of the day. Then we can talk about the impact of the players in the team.

“In football, everything is open because George Weah did it in 1995 but individual success depends on the moment and being at the right team or having a good year, having injury free so you can be more consistent; these are little things that can make a difference in the life of a football player.

“I hope and believe that one day soon, we will have an African player picking up the award as the Best Player in the world again after George Weah and I believe we are aiming close.”

But in his enclosure and away from the prying eyes of the public and press, Simy has shown an uncanny obsession about his young family which obviously is the centre of his world.

It’s just a little over two years ago when Simy tied the knots with his delectable fiancée Chidinma Chinenye and that marriage has produced a beautiful girl affectionately named Belmira Chimdezirim  Nwankwo.

Now and then, Simy is enamoured about what life would have been without his cute princess: “Fatherhood? I think it’s the best feeling any guy can have. Fatherhood has taught me a lot and it has made me to be more responsible. Family now comes first rather than thinking just about myself.

“I am enjoying every bit of it and I hope this positive outlook reflects on my life, game and every part of my life. Of course, this is my reflection about fatherhood and honestly, I’m enjoying it.”

Though not anywhere near the Super Eagles camp in recent times, Simy said he remains a passionate supporter of the national team, adding that the coach Gernot Rohr-led side can build upon the modest achievement at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt when they begin the chase for a ticket to the 2021 edition with upcoming matches against Benin and Lesotho.

“My impression about the last AFCON in Egypt was really good because I think it was a fruitful one for the Super Eagles though we didn’t win the trophy,” he explained.

“We had a very young team with a little bit of experience and I think getting the third position shows that make we’re taking some steps forward.

“The Super Eagles qualified well and after the World Cup in Russia, getting to the last four at the AFCON in Egypt is equally a good progress.

“We should be proud of about the young players because so many of themwere there (at AFCON) for the first time and I know the experiences they gained will be good for the future,” he added.

 

NWANKOW: The flip side

On choice of daughter’s names

My daughter’s names are Belmira Chimdezirim Nwankwo. Belmira is a Portuguese name and it is the simple meaning of a beautiful woman. Igbo name (Chimdezirim) for her means ‘God has written my destiny’ and it also goes with my family name, Nwankwo. The choice of those names was very simple: she is a beautiful woman and God made her the way she is and we pray the name is going to follow her anywhere.

On setting up charity foundation

Most footballers usually set up a foundation on retirement but I started Tochukwu Nwankwo Foundation (TNF) due to the numerous encounters I have experienced with regards to immense hardship and suffering in my community.You will be astonished to know the number of less fortunate youths in my local government (Orumba North LGA of Anambra State) that are in need of assistance and guidance today; this is what has propelled me to start this initiative now. God has been faithful to me and I envisage using TNF as a platform to inject faith, hope and charity into our communities.

On always being happy

I think everything about me makes me happy…and there are so many things. I’m happy playing football because that was the only thing I wanted to do while growing up; so I’m happy about that. When I’m on the field, I hardly think of any other thing.  Playing football is one of the keys to my happiness. It is a passion for me and I really thank God for making this possible for me because I’m doing what I really like. My family makes me happy; having good people around me makes me happy. We are living in a very difficult world but being able to put a smile in the face of people around me makes me happy.

On favourite music

I love good music which can be Afro, Rhythm &Blues or Hip-Hop and I play Nigerian music a lot. Sometimes I play songs that are calm and sometimes, I could play something to heat up myself. I’m a kind of all-rounder. Nigerian artists are getting better and I have so much respect for Don Jazzy because he is one of the people that changed the  face of Nigerian music for good. I wasn’t cut out for music but I respect those who are doing their best in that line too.