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Category: SOS

  • NGOZI ONWUMERE: Bobsleigh, breath of fresh air for me!

    NGOZI ONWUMERE: Bobsleigh, breath of fresh air for me!

    Ngozi Onwumere, the brakeman in the historic Nigeria Bobsleigh team to the on-going Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang describes herself as a jack of all trade and master of all! The 26-year-old shares her world of athletics, music, bobsleigh and so much more in a lively conversation with MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN.

    After a session with the other two-Seun Adigun (driver) and Akuoma Omeoga (brakeman), it may be safe to conclude you have known all there is about bobsleigh and their other partner, Ngozi  Onwumere who is also a brakeman in the historic Nigeria Bobsleigh team to the on-going Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

    But Onwumere is undoubtedly, a gal of many parts. Until her heroics with Adigun and Omeoga in Bobsleigh, she competed for Nigeria in the Track & Field event of the 2015 All African Games in Brazzaville, but she is also an emerging force as a singer/songwriter with diverse interest in acoustic sounds, rhythm & blues, jazz and hip-hop.

    To be convinced of her musical bent, you need to listen to her wave-making streaming single–“Have You?” In this melodic, Onwumere expressed her feeling so much and you would be forgiven to think she was awarded a Grammy for her effort.

    “My interest in music came from life experiences, music has always been a way to express myself even when I didn’t know exactly how to put it in words,” the 26-year-old Onwumere told our correspondent in an enchanting conversation. “Growing up, I was a very shy, timid child, the baby sister of a 4 woman bunch; I have been singing since the age of 13, starting first with a group my sister put together with my cousins and me.

    “My first real debut being on the chorus of my sister’s Pandora channel on a featured song called Love Consumptions,” she offers. “I got the courage to take on my individual singing career by simply growing up and experiencing things on my own and finally having a story to tell as a woman.

    “Right after college, I was in a domestic violence situation which left me feeling quite voiceless, in that moment I realized music was my only healthy outlet and also the correlation between being hurt, happy, sad, basically any emotion felt. Since then I have been creating and can’t wait to showcase my sound to the world.

    “I love all genres of music, especially 1990s music. A fun fact is that the year I was born, the movie the bodyguard came out and my mom named me after Whitney Houston (destined for greatness right?)

    “Some of my inspirations are old and new; of course the great Sade, the new Active child and so many other great artists. I aim to be an artist that evokes feelings and helps people through hard times because that is what music is and was for me through my hard times.

    “ My upcoming EP excites me because trials make the music so real, and now I  have so much to share with the world about knowing self , being myself and loving self,” she waxed  with philosophical hue.

    Away from the music terracotta, Onwumere has equally shed light on how fate drove her to bobsleigh where she is a proud brakeman.

    The brakeman in bobsleigh is the last person to enter the sled at the start; and known as the brakeman because he or she is responsible for pulling the brake to stop the sled at the end of the run. Yet Onwumere, who was the flag bearer on the momentous occasion of February 9 opening ceremony in Pyeongchang, is proud about her new expedition and being amongst the first Nigerian and indeed an African bobsleigh team to debut in the Winter Olympics even as the women’s bobsled heats take centre stage in PyeongChang on February 20.

    “What fired my interest( in bobsleigh)  is that it was new and I was just coming out of a draining track season,” Onwumere explained, adding: “I needed a breath of fresh air, so when Seun told me about it, I took that as my sign but my biggest fear was probably not knowing what to expect (competition wise).

    “Initially my family was sceptical about the sport and had safety concerns but nonetheless support everything I want to do for the most part; I have loads of support from family and friends now.

    “In my opinion , what we set out to do was never ordinary, even to me as  a part of the process- I often times felt overwhelmed initially with all that was left ahead to accomplish and do.

    “It was really important to us as a whole to set a foundation that would work for athletes to come and also make the transition into a sport like bobsleigh as seamless as possible. It was Seun’s vision – but with this said, we all felt the “growing pains” and financial burdens of being the first to do something and having no blueprint; extraordinary is finding a way to do something even when the path isn’t very clear.”

    No doubt, Onwumere is very spirited and Omeoga best captured her personae:   “Aside from bobsleigh, you can often find Ngozi trying new restaurants, exploring the arts, or making me laugh hysterically. Ngozi is an all action and less talk type of person. She really has an entrepreneurial spirit and has the ability to get others onboard. Another thing that cannot go unnoticed about Ngozi is her athleticism; the combination of her strength and speed makes for the ideal elite athlete.

    “These are things that Seun saw about Ngozi too, as this was not the first time Seun had recruited Ngozi to be a member of a team she coached. Seun recruited Ngozi to the University of Houston Track and Field program as a Sprinter and Jumper back in 2009. From then, the two of them have built a relationship that has surpassed collegiate athletics.”

    It is well said that ‘birds of a feather flock together; but what other things bind the three happy-go-lucky gals that made up the first Nigeria and Africa bobsleigh team?

    Onwumere offers: “We are bonded by this experience and will forever be because of it. I’ve known Seun since the age of 18 and met Akuoma through this experience and realized we also had similar family relations.

    “The best moment for me was actually crossing the finish line in Race 5. Often times , we see “glory stories” and don’t see all the suffering and tribulations behind the scenes  so more so than everything;  I was happy that everything paid off, not to mention I was coming off of a bad injury from a previous race so for me it just brought everything back to reality .

    “I think it’s essential when telling stories we also tell the not so pleasant aspect- that’s where character is shaped and commitment is truly called out.

    “So if I were asked this (my short and long term targets) a year ago, I probably would have a laundry list. This year, my short and long term goals with the team are one in the same with the Games right around the corner.

    “As of today, my team goal is: Get strong, fast, ready to compete and get on the podium as a team,” reiterated Onwumere though ironically declined to comment on what makes her happy or sad.

    She continued: “I believe life is on a continuum; so I don’t know if I’ve had a moment that can define this ( unforgettable day) because there are a lot of things I will not forget and it’s very exclusive from actual accolades of which the world might deem as unforgettable moments.

    “What makes me unique is that I don’t mould to society norms or gravitate towards popular beliefs; I feel that everyone in the world has something to offer and that we all are multidimensional.

    “I was raised to believe I can be anything I wanted to be but also in a household where I was pushed to be the best in whatever I do. Since a very young age, I told my Dad I wanted to be a jack of all trades , he would often give me the response “be a jack of all trades or a jack of none” and essentially telling me I needed to focus on one thing and be good at it .

    “One would take that as disapproval but I took that as motivation to be a great professional, be a music artist, be a great athlete and everything people said I could not do all at once,” posited Onwumere who was born and raised in Dallas Texas.

    ONWUMERE: SHORT & SHARP

    Other sporting activities

    I was a track and field athlete for Nigeria prior to bobsleigh, so I guess I can say I like it a bit as much as basketball. Also, this sounds a bit funny, but I actually love to watch competitive cheer/dance on TV but wouldn’t by chance compete.

    Sport heroes and heroines

    Oddly enough- I don’t really have any sport heroes in relation to the sports I participated in. I can say I respect athletes overall for their commitments and sacrifices! Also would like to add that Colin Kaepernick (American football quarterback) is what athletics is about.

    Thoughts on fashion & beauty regimen

    Definition of fashion to me is creating your own wave and making it look good. Someone who’s fashionable could make a trash bag look good. My beauty regimen really changes throughout the year- but for the most part maintaining and keeping my bare skin healthy and fresh is priority. My go -to for a night on the town is definitely usually a lip of colour – love reds, pinks and nudes but can’t say I’m a makeup guru. I do just enough to enhance my beauty. I’m also really big on sugar scrubs! Soft skin for the win.

    Family circle

    My family is different in the sense that we are very conservative but have a really unconventional outlook on life in many aspects. Mom (Rosemarie) is a former Nurse/Director whom started her own business; Dad (Emmanuel) is retired and is a business owner as well. I have sisters – Nneka (doctor); Kelechi (lawyer & a music artist) and Ifeoma (business owner/ marketing guru.

    Behind the camera with Seun and Akuoma

    Just us being us! Dancing, Talking, the usual you get from this dynamic!

    Ahead Winter Games

    Our hope is that we continue to spread positive energy, represent Nigeria and Africa well and also get to the podium in South Korea.

  • ‘Tiger Woods could stun the world again’

    ‘Tiger Woods could stun the world again’

    Rory McIlroy hardly needed reminding that Tiger Woods creates a din wherever he goes. But after watching the 14-time major winner turn mediocrity into a satisfactory 72 in the first round of the Genesis Open, McIlroy remained convinced his friend “will make some noise this year”.

    McIlroy told Telegraph Sport that following the evidence of his November knockabout with Woods, he felt the 42-year-old could “stun the world again” when he returned from his spinal fusion operation. And although Woods’ one-over beginning here at Riviera was error-strewn off the tee, McIlroy has not altered his view.

    It was their first competitive outing in three years and McIlroy’s mind inevitably drafted back. “It doesn’t feel like five years ago that Tiger won five tournaments and was the voted player of the year, so it’s not been that long,” McIlroy said after his own 71.

    “He remembers how to do this and his body’s allowing him to do this once more, and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll make some noise this year.”

    Certainly there was a clatter on the par-four 11th (Woods’ second hole having started on the 10th) when he sent his drive hurtling into the trees. Indeed, it unluckily stayed up in the eucalyptus, and as Woods could not identify it among the branches, he was forced to go back to the tee-box.

    Again it went askew but this time it located terra firma. From the rough, Woods proceeded to swing so aggressively and with such a manic twist of his torso to gain the required action on the ball that if his surgeon was watching he would surely have choked on his grits.

    He ended up taking a double bogey, but if nothing else, Woods proved that there is no issue with his mended back’s capability of coping with the rigours of the sport.

    However, he plainly has an issue with the big club. His driving marred his commendable showing at Torrey Pines three weeks ago – where he made the cut in his first full-field event in more than a year – and, although he straightened up considerably, it was again the main culprit.

    His final hole (the ninth) summed it up when he wildly struck into the bunker on the adjacent 10th, before a brilliant recovery approach to the fringe of a green and a fine up-and-down. The damning stats chart showed he hit only seven greens in regulation.

    “It was all right. I made really silly bogeys out there,” Woods said. “But overall I thought I hung in there well and grinded.”

    The other member of the Hollywood threeball, which attracted impressive crowds for a Thursday morning, lent some realism to the Woods scenario. “He’s a pretty good ways away,” Justin Thomas said after his 69. “I mean Tiger’s right now doing what he’s always done in terms of getting it around. But he’s obviously not driving it well and not hitting the shots he wants.”

    For his part, McIlroy’s putting looked almost as lousy as Woods’s driving early on. But then came the 30-footer for eagle on the first (his 10th) and he was rightly content with coming home in two-under.

    Yet still, following his missed cut at Pebble Beach last week, where he took 38 putts his second round, this was largely another humbling day on the greens. But McIlroy refused to be despondent.

    “I’ve hit good putts out there,’ McIlroy said. “It’s not as if I’m hitting wide and missing by a few inches – it’s only just sliding by the edges. So it’s not too far off.”

    And McIlroy is not too far off the lead held by Americans Tony Finau and Patrick Cantlay. Scotland’s Martin Laird is two behind after a 68, while England’s Tommy Fleetwood shot a 70. World No 1 Dustin Johnson, who is the defending champion here, fired a disappointing 74.

  • Simidele Adeagbo: ‘Skeleton is a different experience and journey’

    Simidele Adeagbo: ‘Skeleton is a different experience and journey’

    A podium finish in the women’s skeleton event of the 2018 Winter Olympics may look unlikely now for Nigeria’s Simidele Adeagbo if her results in the Women’s Official Training Heats are anything to go by. For the 36-year-old the past three days have however still brought about a whole new experience.

    Adeagbo, who is the first Nigerian, African and black female to compete in the head-first sliding sport of skeleton at the Olympics, produced the slowest times in all of the six runs held between Monday and Wednesday at the Olympic Sliding Centre in PyeongChang.

    In an interview with AIPS at the mixed zone on Wednesday, Adeagbo said: “Each day has brought a different experience and that’s the whole experience and journey I’ve been having on this sport. Every time I step on the track I learn something new, so these last three days haven’t been different. Now for me it’s about going into race day and being able to pull from those different experiences and put together the best race that I can.”

    “One of the basic things that you have to do when you are on the sled is relax and it’s so counterintuitive because you are going so fast – 80 miles an hour. Your face is just inches from the track and sometimes you tense up – that’s the opposite of what you want to do. Today, I felt that I was a bit tensed and I need to go back to the basics,” she explained.

    On Monday, Adeagbo clocked 55.17 and 56.07 seconds in Heat 1 and 2 respectively. Both times landed her in 19th position out of the same number of competitors as South Korea’s Sophia Jeong did not start (DNS). The next day saw her finishing 20th with 55.56 and 56.60 seconds in Heat 3 and 4 respectively. She then maintained the same bottom position on Wednesday, clocking 55.85 and 56.05 seconds in Heat 5 and 6.

    The above times may not win Adeagbo a medal in PyeongChang 2018, but they are signs of tremendous progress in her historic skeleton journey because only last month she completed her 5th and 6th races of the season in Lake Placid in 58.11 and 59.88 seconds respectively. Though those times gave her bronze medals at the North American Cup, they have no place on the Olympics stage.

    “If you just relax on the sled and just enjoy and have fun you are going to go faster just because you are relaxed. So those are some of the reminders,” Adeagbo added as she shared her experience on the track with AIPS.

    “And just making sure that I am timing my steers which is how you drive the sled. You use your head, your shoulders, your knees and your toes to do that. When the audience is watching on TV, they can’t see it but you make subtle little movements and you have to time them just right. So I have been playing around with that throughout the last three days,” she revealed.

    “How do I time certain steers in certain places? Sometimes I’ve made it, other times I haven’t and I’ve had some big hits that remind me of what not to do. But those are good things to happen because you practice and you get better.”

    The main event for Women’s Skeleton at PyeongChang 2018 will last for two days – Friday and Saturday – and there are four Heats. The competitor with the quickest combined time after the four runs wins gold. Adeagbo realizes that she is the least experienced in the fold having just touched a sled for the first time in September last year, but she has promised to give her all in representing her country Nigeria.

  • ABRAHAM KIPROTICH: My joy winning Lagos Marathon at 32

    ABRAHAM KIPROTICH: My joy winning Lagos Marathon at 32

    Lagos Marathon winner, Abraham Kiprotich reveals the symbolism behind winning the IAAF road race at 32, same age his late brother and mentor died. He spoke to TAIWO ALIMI.

    Third Lagos City Marathon winner Abraham Kiprotich has a history with 32. For one, he claimed the IAAF Bronze Label road race last Saturday at the age of 32 and set a new all-comers record by shaving one second off the time, which he finished at 2:15:02.

    Secondly, his older brother that inspired his dream; Paul Kipkoech died at the age of 32.

    “Winning today (the Lagos marathon) is significant,” he began. “I am 32 and I can but remember my brother (Paul) Kipkoech, who inspired me to run road races died in 1995 at 32. This marathon brings back memories and that is why I want to dedicate this to him.”

    Kipkoech was a Kenyan long-distance runner who specialized in the 10,000 metres and cross-country running. He became world champion over 10,000 m in 1987. In 1986 he ran the 3000 metres in 7:39.38 minutes, which was the third best time in the world that season, only behind Saïd Aouita and Sydney Maree.

    He retired in 1988 due to illness and died in 1995 in a Kenyan hospital, only 32.

    For Kiprotich, marathon race is about courage and perseverance and all he needed to make it to the top in the world distance races, he learnt from late Kipkoech.

    Born in Kenyan hilly region of Nandi, Kiprotich said he grew up watching his brother conquer the hills. “As a toddler I usually follow him through the hills barefooted and when I got tired I would walk back home. He would always encourage us, the little ones so it was a big loss when he died prematurely.”

    The Kenyan turned French athlete was just two when Kipkoech, won the gold medal at the 1987 World Championships in Athletics and, “that inspired many of us that were following him that time because he came back to Kenya a hero. We were proud of him and so when he died it affected us.”

    Though Kipkoech died before Kiprotich had even reached his teenage years, he was already old enough to match his dream with his brother’s. “I was already a good runner when he took ill and we would go to his home for tips and he would freely give. He was a kind man and he touched many of us in our hearts.”

    Back to the Lagos race, he noted that like all road races, it was a tactical race. A pacemaker led the relatively large lead pack through to the half-way point in little more than 68 minutes before making an exit. But despite having to run a large portion of the race without a pacemaker, the leaders managed to maintain – and even slightly increase – the tempo during the second half.

    Twelve runners were still in contention at 35 kilometres, but only four of those remained in the lead pack five kilometres later. Ronny Kiboss, in a bid to improve on his runner-up finish from last year, tried to break away on several occasions during the closing stages, but each time he was reeled back in by Kiprotich. With 600 metres remaining, the 32-year-old put in a controlled surge before going on to win in 2:15:02.

    He said: “I wanted break off but had to bid my time at the right time. I remained calm and took off at the right time. It was a good race. I am happy too that the time was good too.”

    His winning time took one second off the Nigerian all-comer’s record of 2:15:03 set in Kaduna in 1971 by Ireland’s Sean Healy. Dogged by a doping case that took the shine off one of his brilliant races in 2013 at Istanbul, Turkey, Kiprotich said of the case: “It is in my past now.”

    On 30 December 2013 it was announced that Kiprotich had failed a drug test directly after his Istanbul Marathon win, having returned a positive result for erythropoietin (EPO) in a urine sample. The leading French sports journal l’Equipe reported that this adverse finding, which related to his ‘A’ sample, surprised no-one, and would confirm – if the ‘B’ sample also proved positive – a suspicion in French athletic circles that Kiprotich was the athlete referred to on 17 April 2013 at a French senatorial anti-doping enquiry, when the president and technical director of the Fédération Française d’Athlétisme both noted that a French marathon runner who had won in Daegu had competed while subject to a two-week suspension for breaches of their medical surveillance regime. The positive test was subsequently confirmed by the B sample and he was stripped of his Istanbul Marathon title and given a two-year ban from competition.

    “I have learnt my lesson and it will never repeat itself again. I have been training hard and late last year at Vodafone Istanbul Marathon I clocked 2:11:22; so winning in Lagos wasn’t a fluke,” he reassured.

    It would be recalled that in the men’s category of Istanbul Marathon race was close as just five seconds separated the top two finishers.

    A slow initial pace kept 14 athletes together through the halfway mark, reached in 1:05:47. The group had been whittled down to nine by 35 kilometres, and splits of 2:45 and 2:43 for the 37th and 39th kilometres respectively caused more runners to fall off the lead pack, eventually leaving  Kiprotich and Kendagor ahead of the rest by 40 kilometres. Kiprotich went on to win in 2:11:22.

    “I was in great form coming to Nigeria, and coming to Africa always bring fond memories. I hope to come back here next

  • SUNDAY OLISEH: My sunny side with Fortuna Sittard

    SUNDAY OLISEH: My sunny side with Fortuna Sittard

    Sunday Oliseh’s success story with Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch league is a potential Hollywood classic. “I chose Fortuna Sittard out of respect for my family, not because it was the best offer that I had after leaving the Nigeria manager job,” the former Super Eagles captain said with a cheer, months after his unceremonious exit as coach of the national team.

    Indeed, Fortuna Sittard was the least on the table for Oliseh. The first division club was battling relegation and on the brink of bankruptcy when Oliseh stepped in and nothing short of a miracle could have brought them out to the klieg-light after a short spell.

    “Coming from relegation struggle to playoff is indeed a miracle,” recalled Sunny before explaining: “It is still a miracle considering that the club was in bad shape at the beginning of 2017, and within months we came back to winning a period title.

    “After leaving Nigeria, I got offers from many clubs in Africa and Europe. With the array of offers that I received, I realized I gained much from coaching the Nigerian team. A top club from South Africa, a club from Portugal and numerous national football federations approached me, but I wasn’t interested.

    “My first consideration was my family members; because family is the most important thing to me. I wanted to go to a place that would make me happy.

    “Sittard is just 45 minutes by car from my home. Just over a year and a half ago, Fortuna was almost bankrupt, after years of soreness since its relegation in 2002, but I choose them because I just wanted to be close to home and be where I feel at home.”

    Sittard’s resurgence came slowly but surely. Though, Oliseh wanted to rebuild the team with new players, he did not have the luxury to pay foreign players: “We even wanted new players and we were able to contact two Nigerian players. Boys who I believe would make us better and stronger. But financially, their arrival was not feasible, so we could not complete the process of signing them. No thanks to the Dutch rule that non-EU footballers must earn at least 200,000 or 400,000 euro as salary.”

    Oliseh looked inward to motivate his players.

    He further explained: “The fans became our motivator; they have stood by us when nothing was working and the motivation is that we must not let them and ourselves down.”

    The slogan worked like magic and before long the club began to smash the records. It went without a home loss or draw in seven matches and defeated arch rival Young Ajax to climb the top of the league.

    “I created a new club record as the only coach in the history of Fortuna Sittard to win six consecutive home games,” he offered.

    He was named the coach of the division, and his club became the winner of the second period title to break a 23-year-old jinx. It was the first time Fortuna Sittard is winning another prize since 1995.

    In this interview with TAIWO ALIMI, the former Ajax and Juventus star, speaks more on his low and high points right from his early football stage to the present. Excerpts…  

     

    Beginning

    My father did not want me to play football. For him football was a taboo. He was an accountant. At that time there was no one in my area who could live off football. The only people we saw playing football were school drop-outs. Those who played football got a penalty. My father had been a goalkeeper, but he broke his hand. Then my grandfather forbade him to play football and he went to the university. He wanted me to become a lawyer, economist or accountant. On the day that I showed my first pay slip as a footballer, he was proud. “Hmmmm, not bad,” he said then. And now he watches Fortuna’s matches via the internet, in Nigeria.

    Coaching as a career

    I started thinking about coaching when I got to Ajax Amsterdam. Whatever I know and have done in football, I want to thank Ajax Amsterdam for it. Ajax is an institute, full of tradition. Ajax is more than a football club. There, as a player of Ajax, I decided to become a trainer. I looked around at the future and thought that is a good job, being a coach. You could see that players are being made. You look at their strengths, their potential, and you get to work as a trainer. You repeat, give advice, and pay attention to details. You make a talent better, also by masking its weaker points. I think that Ajax is one of the best clubs in the world to play. And young players get opportunities. In fact, I learnt how to shoot properly in Ajax. I did not have people around me in Nigeria who could explain that to me. You learned football in Nigeria with friends. If you had learned something new, it was war. Then the others wanted that too. We did have young coaches who gave some tips, but at Ajax I learned to shoot solidly. There were the trainers, there was the infrastructure. I kept practicing regularly after the training, with Van der Sar on target.

    I also owe a lot of my qualities as a coach to my former role as a central midfielder, because then you have to be unselfish. You run for others. You defend for others. You help others to play better and score. As a coach you are also unselfish. You do not think for one player, but for everyone. The midfield requires content. I try to teach the players here that they need more content as footballers. My goal is not to train Fortuna for the rest of my life. The players are like my young brothers. I do everything to make them better and will not stop saying anything to them until they win the Ballon d’Or.

    From Super Eagles to Fortuna Sittard

    After leaving Nigeria, I got offers from many clubs in Africa and Europe. With the array of offers that I received, I realized I gained much from coaching the Nigerian team. A top club from South Africa, a club from Portugal and numerous national football federations approached me, but I wasn’t interested. My first consideration was for my family members because family is the most important thing to me. I wanted to go to a place that would make me happy. Sittard is just 45 minutes by car from my home.

    Low point at Fortuna

    Last January, we were battling relegation and at a point, we even suffered point deduction that is in the run-up to the meeting at RKC Waalwijk.

    We understood that the pressure is mounting due to the fact that we are moving towards the end of the season. The coaching crew and the players were well aware of this and so we decided we have to change gear and play for the fans. We do not want to leave them in the cold, when they go on the long journey to Waalwijk.

    The draw at Sporting added little inspiration but that made us to step up our game for the fans and us. Let’s give them what they deserve because of their unwavering support for us down the years.

    The fans became our motivation and it made sense to play for something. It is called motivation. It is understandable. If you actually play for something, for example a place in the playoffs and you need a good result. As said, we are motivated by the support of the fans and the next two games that came towards the end of the season, we knew, we had to really play good football for the fans to secure the title and we can go on vacation with a positive feeling.

    The year has been one full of ups and downs, but we have kept our promise to the fans who have remained positive through it all. It’s good to go to the fans. I think the supporters are also proud of how we have galvanized the team after the winter break.

    Turnaround

    Coming from relegation struggle to playoff is indeed a miracle. We wanted to win this for the fans because they have not won anything in over 20 years. But it is still a miracle considering that the club was in bad shape at the beginning of 2017, and within months we came back to winning a Period title.

    Our 2-1 victory over Jong Ajax not only makes it a record of seven victories in a row, but secures us the second Period title. It was Fortuna’s first title in 23 years. It is the Lord’s doing. Only God can help wield such a miracle: From relegation struggle to Playoff in 12 months.

    The turnaround for us started after the convincing 5-1 victory over Dordrecht and it went on with the 2-1 win over Almere. I created a new club record as the only coach in the history of Fortuna Sittard to win six consecutive home games.

    The victories were good for the morale of the boys and it gave us the belief that we can do whatever we set our mind to do.

     

     

    OLISEH IN NUMBERS

    2: The number of times Oliseh won the Dutch Cup title.

    3:  He was  voted Africa’s 3rd Best footballer by CAF in 1998 behind compatriot  Austin ‘Jay Jay Okocha(first runner up)  and  Moroccan  Mustapha Hadji.

    15: His favourite jersey number worn in Nigeria Super Eagles, Olympic Team, Borussia Dortmund, Ajax Amsterdam, and FC Köln.

    22: The number of goals he scored in his career.

    31: The age he retired from professional football after playing a half season for Belgian club K.R.C. Genk.

    63: The number of times he played for the Nigeria national teams.

    321: Combined number of times he stared for eight European clubs including Standard Liege, Reggiana, Ajax, Juventus, Dortmnund, Genk,FC Koln and Bochum.

  • ODION IGHALO: MY EXPECTATIONS IN 2018

    ODION IGHALO: MY EXPECTATIONS IN 2018

    Until most recently, the noise around town was the prompting about making the ritualistic new year’s resolutions, which incidentally was described as ‘cleansing ritual of self-assessment and repentance that demands personal honesty, and ultimately reinforces humility’ by Eric Zorn, the Op-ed editor and blogger for Chicago Tribune.

    In that sense, Super Eagles’ striker, Odion Jude Ighalo, is perfectly in order in a frank interview with THE NATION, as he reflected with a benefit of hindsight over Year 2017 to consequently raise for 2018.

    Indeed, this past year was significant for Ighalo in many respects. In January, he made the headlines with the shock big money move from English Premier League side Watford F.C to the Chinese Super League side, Changchun Yatai F.C, for a reported fee of £27 million during the Transfer Window. It was a well-stocked year for the 27-year- old as he scored 17 Premier League goals in Watford’s first campaign back in the top flight as well as 15 goals in 27 matches that earned Changchun Yatai F.C a respectable finish on the log at the end of the season. He remarkably scored the opener in the that famous 4-0 mauling of African champions, Cameroun, which consolidated Nigeria’s position towards a place in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 and rounded off 2017 on a high with the formal opening of his multi-million Ighalo Orphanage Home on December 16, 2017  in Lagos.

    “Glory be to God, the year 2017 was very great for me, my family and everybody around me,” Ighalo offered with a cheerful smile inside the lustrous living room of his Lagos home in Lekki.

    “It was a successful year for so many reasons; we qualified Nigeria for the Russia 2018 World Cup; I also moved to China where I also did very well with my club. I had a very good holiday towards the end of the year back in Nigeria; it’s been a very great year and I don’t have reasons to complain.

    “My expectation for 2018 is to do well with the Super Eagles at the World Cup in Russia. I’m praying to do more than I did during the last season in the Chinese Super League with Changchun Yatai F.C. and I want to be a better person in the service to humanity,” remarked  Ighalo , who is fond of saying ‘ we don’t complain but we give thanks.’

    Ighalo said he had every reason to be thankful despite his humble beginning from Ajegunle – the urban slum neighbourhood in the heart of Lagos. Today, he is one of the country’s most successful exports but  reckoned  he would be unhappy without sowing the seed of kindness.

    He explained: “It is true that opening an orphanage was another highlight for me in 2017; it was a dream that came through. I had long dreamt about opening an orphanage right from the start of my career and I’m really excited that the dream came true because there is difference between a dream and actualising such dream.

    “I want to thank God for this great achievement; it was something I longed for and this will give me joy for the rest of my life. It is one way I want to give back to the society and I’m truly happy about this development.

    “I’m privileged because I can afford three square meals in a day but that does not make me the best person on earth and so if I see somebody out there hungry, I want to assist him or her. Life is a function of time and opportunity. I’m not better because I have two heads,  rather it’s just by the grace of God who blesses my hard work, and I consider it a privilege, as such I would promptly help anybody hungry for food.

    “I’m privileged playing football. I’m not the best player in my position at my club in China and even in the Super Eagles. I consider my present position in life as a successful footballer as privilege because so many other players who I grew up with in Ajegunle were far better than me. I can’t forget my humble start and that’s why I would readily assist anyone in need.  Of course, I can’t satisfy everybody  but I think if every one of us does our bit  Nigeria would be a better place for us to live,” Ighalo, on the eve of his departure to London en route China for the pre-season with Changchun Yatai F.C, spoke exclusively to MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN on other sundry issues.  Excerpts….

     

    Future of Ighalo Orphanage Home

    The desire to give to people, especially those who are less-privileged is based on my own difficult upbringing because when I look back at my growing up years, I’m compelled to give back to the society and humanity.  I still imagine myself in the kind of situation I was while I was growing up some 11 and 12 years ago. I had nothing and I can’t be happy to see people go through some of the things I went through. Thank God I’m doing fine and my family, kids and everybody around me is okay but what about millions out there suffering? I’m not the richest Nigerian or the richest Nigerian footballer but helping people with little things won’t take anything away from me, won’t kill me.This is something I have been doing. I have been doing charity for such a long time now. I have a long list of widows, orphanages and physically-challenged people I’ve been taking care of on a monthly basis but I just took it to another level by building a befitting orphanage. Building this orphanage gives me so much joy and by the grace of God, we would keep growing and growing.  Of course, there is the possibility of extending the orphanage beyond Lagos; and I recently went to Benin to meet the Governor of Edo State and I have already told him about my intentions. The Edo State government are looking for a possibility of giving me a parcel of land and I will see what I can do about that in the future.  For now, I want to keep this one (Ighalo Orphanage Home in Lagos) running and actively get some good-minded private and corporate people to assist the orphanage. I have used my resources to build the orphanage but I would admit that it’s not an easy thing to do but for the grace of God. I would only allow those who have the same kind of spirit and soft spot for the less fortunate ones to assist them.

    Adventure in China

    Of course, I was sceptical going to China, but as you know, football has taken me to so many countries. China is the fifth country football has taken me to. I have played in Norway (with Lyn Oslo) Spain (Granada and Cesena), Italy (with Udinese) and England (Watford) and adaptation for me is the same way because I needed to settle down squarely to the business of playing football. It’s always difficult to change environment, change country, change culture, but this is my job, as such I have to just keep doing it. I’m happy that my first season in China wasn’t a bad one despite the initial ups and downs I had with injuries as well as getting adapted to the league. At some point, the goals were not coming but my first season ended well. I’m so happy because I played 27 matches and scored 15 goals and the owners of the club are very happy with me because we had a better outing than the previous season. Personally, I want to do better next season and as a team, we must improve upon what we did last season. This is also the focus of the club’s management and we would see how far we can go next season.

    Being joyful

    First and foremost, I think being happy is a matter of choice. No matter the circumstances in my life, I choose to be happy and that is something great about me. I’m full of gratitude to God for where I’m today and what I have become. The secret of happiness is to look at the bright side of life and the negatives would always go away. You have my Whatsapp contact and you can see I create a lot of fun and happiness around myself and family and I’m fond of saying that ‘We can only give thanks, we don’t complain’ because I believe better things will come by being grateful for what I have at present.  I’m full of positive vibes though as a human being, I go through some difficult moments too.  I feel anything that comes my way is the will of God, as such I’m always happy. I love to have fun with my family, friends and everybody around me.  Of course, some things can make me sad too, but honestly, I can’t say this particular thing can make me sad.  Sometimes, I’m emotionally down but I shake off such moments immediately because I want to be positive always.  My family and kids are the soul of my life. I don’t pray anything bad happens to them, but apart from that, I keep my life going by being positive and happy.  Yes, it’s true that I rarely speak about my family, especially my wife because she’s on the quiet side.  My wife is very shy in front of the camera and she loves her privacy; you can only see her talking much when we are together at home. She is doing her bit taking care of the family, especially the kids when I’m off because of the demands of my job. She has her business too, but despite the fact that we have a nanny at home, it’s difficult sometimes for her to cope without me being around them since they are based in London while I’m in China.

    Difficulties as a footballer

    Yes, we have difficulties, especially since our job demands we are not always with our family. It’s difficult to let your wife and kids understand that  part of the job. Sometimes it’s  easy for them to cope but many times, it’s difficult for them to understand.  People see the positives, especially the money aspect about the life of a footballer but they don’t see the difficulties; the sacrifices you make in order to have a good family too.  It is a tough job but we still have to smile in front of the camera and people think all is rosy because of the money not knowing we sometimes cry too.  Life is not easy but we keep thanking God we are getting better and better every day.

    The unfortunate Emmanuel Eboue

    I feel so sad for Emmanuel Eboue. We are different human beings and everyone has  different life style but I pray such things should not happen to me. It’s a difficult position to be. I was discussing with some friends  just yesterday about  Eboue’s unfortunate circumstances  and I told them  that it’s difficult  to come down to zero level when you had previously  tasted life at the top and if you are not mentally strong, you are going to lose your life by committing suicide.  It’s better to start from the zero level and move up and you must pray not to come down to that level again; it’s a bad circumstance to be in and I feel the pains Eboue is going through.  I have been around three people in such similar circumstances and I had to really come to their aid by speaking to them and giving them things to start life all over again so that they can feel better. Imagine after making such name and wealth, earning as much as seven million Euros and suddenly losing everything, and sleeping with somebody in a couch?  My brother, if he’s not mentally strong, he would commit suicide. After reading the first two lines of the interview, I can imagine and understand what he’s going through but I pray he can come out strongly out of this mess.

    Russia 2018

    We have Argentina, Croatia and Iceland in our group and I agree that it’s a difficult group. Some people have even labelled Group D as the ‘group of death’ but we are working hard. We are doing well at present but we can’t afford to get carried away. By the grace of God, we (Super Eagles) are going to come out of the group if we can continue to work hard as we did during the qualifiers and in that friendly match against Argentina.  Though it’s going to be difficult, we are going to qualify from the group.

    The Gernot Rohr’s magic

    There is a great atmosphere around the team now with coach Gernot Rohr and it’s like one big family now. He’s like a father-figure to the team and he ensures there is unity in the team and we all love to work together. Every one of us knows what we want and all of us working hard in the same direction; the coach doesn’t care who you are since you have to come out and do your job, fight for your position and which is very good.

    Holiday season

    This last holiday during the off season in China is the longest but it was the best and most stressful I have ever had in my whole career since I left the shores of the country to play professional football.  While in Europe, it was always about one month off-season break but it’s about two months in China. During the holidays, I went back to Ajegunle in the same neighbourhood I grew up, spending time with some of the old people I grew up with. It was a great feeling for me because as they say, ‘don’t forget your humble beginning’ and I went to the house I grew up in and everybody was happy to see me. That indeed gave me a great feeling because I had the opportunity of talking and mingling with them; we had fun because it was an opportunity to wine and dine with them. I had fun and by the grace of God, I will be going back to that neighbourhood in Ajegunle every year from now. I have been so busy throughout the period and I don’t think I have been at home two days at a stretch without going out to do one thing or the other. I was going from city to city and going back and forth from the country in order to keep up with one appointment or the other.  It’s fun but very stressful. Even today, I still have about three important meetings after this interview and that is why I would be out of Nigeria quickly to rest in London before going for the pre-season training.

    Things I can’t do without

    I can’t do without God, my Bible, my family and football.

  • Phillips: LAMPS Awards to light up Africa

    Phillips: LAMPS Awards to light up Africa

    With attention shifted from the CAF African Footballer of the Year Awards, the attention of the continent would soon be turned to the maiden edition of the Africa LAMPS Awards to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, later this year.

    This much was revealed by the organisers of the prestigious Nigeria Pitch Awards under the auspices of Matchmakers Consult International led by Shina Phillips, who described the project as a landmark and an event which will showcase the continent in a completely different light.

    According to Phillips, ‘LAMPS is an acronym for Legends of Arts, Management, Music, Politics, Science, Sports and Security and the award is targeted primarily at combing the continent to identify, recognise, appreciate and reward men and women of knowledge and expertise who have impacted not just Africa but also the world.’

    “When the world tells the story of Africa, it would appear the continent is a dungeon of impenetrable darkness inhabited by captives cast in the mould of the prisoners described in the allegory of Plato’s Cave,” posited Phillips. “The truth, however, is that the continent is inhabited by 1.8 billion people, roughly a quarter of the world population, with a history and culture of great, heroic and charismatic leadership, ingenuous craftsmen and women and successful trade and business persons.”

    Explaining further, he said Matchmakers Consult International has elected to tell the true African story through the Africa LAMPS Awards to identify Africa’s best sons and daughters in the fields of theatre, movie, law, politics, public service, sciences, sports and security.

    He chronicled a part of the African story and enthused about  the epic tales of Cheikh Anta Diop (Senegalese historian, anthropologist, physicist and politician), Thomas R. Odhiambo (1931–2003), a Kenyan entomologist and environmental activist, Kitaw Ejigu (1948-2006), Ethiopian engineer and Chief of Spacecraft and Satellite Systems engineer at NASA, Kwame Nkrumah, outspoken advocate of Pan-Africanism and Ghanaian leader, Julius Kambarage Nyerere, Tanzanian leader, respected by many world leaders of his time. Nnamdi Azikwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa and Anthony Enahoro, all great Nigerian leaders; Bisi Ezerioha (Nigerian Engineer who has built some of the world’s most powerful Honda and Porsche engines), Sydney Brenner (South African Biologist who won the 2002 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine), Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure (Ivorian footballers), George Weah, (Liberian football and the only African to have won the FIFA World Best Player, Liberian President-elect) Kalusha Bwalya (Zambian footballer), Olusegun Obasanjo (Two-time Nigerian President), Boutros Boutros Ghali (Egyptian and first African to serve as Secretary-General of the United Nations: 1992-1996), Kofi Anan (Ghanaian and former Secretary General of the United Nations)

    He said: “For too long, Africa has missed an event which has the capacity to pull together and celebrate her best brains in key fields of human endeavours. The continent has missed the glamour, razzmatazz and the opportunity to publicly display her culture, heroes, and the achievements of her industrious sons and daughters who have made tremendous impact in raising the standard of human life both on the continent and across the globe.”

    The maiden edition of the awards is scheduled  to coincide with the General Assembly of the Africa Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, later this year, with awards to be presented in 15 categories namely: African Music Personality of the Year, African Movie Personality of the Year; African Journalist of the Year; African Legal Luminary of the Year; African Banker of the Year; African CEO of the Year; African Entrepreneur of the Year; African Farmer of the Year; Africa’s Most Influential Political Personality of the Year; African Support Leadership Award; Public Service Leadership Award; African Scientist of the Year; African Sport Personality of the Year; African Security Personality of the Year and African Hero.

    Philips stated  that the voting process has been designed to accommodate 100 voters per category from all countries on the continent and from a few international media; and the process will be coordinated and verified by an international audit firm.

  • PEPSIE ADIUKWU I LOVE TRANSFORMING LIVES

    PEPSIE ADIUKWU I LOVE TRANSFORMING LIVES

    Iain Nelson,the Scot who midwived the novel Pepsi Football Academy(PFA), has pleasantly been described as a man with nothing other than Solomonic wisdom for his landmark achievements and no much less a personality than Ogechikanma Adiukwu – popularly known as Pepsie Adiukwu.

    Pepsie (it’s the shortened form of an exotic name – her Latin name – Perpetua) volunteered to speak about the man who gave academy football in Nigeria a whole new meaning right from the launch of PFA in 1996.

    “Mr. Nelson is a good man,” hinted Pepsie in a recent chi-chat with our correspondent. “He relates to everyone the same way – whether you are a Pepsi Football Academy or the Minister of Sports…he is always respectful, kind and an attentive listener. He is a wise man.”

    It could be rightly said that Pepsie has been radically influenced by her boss, Nelson, given that she has followed in his footstep in the quest to transform lives. “’OGE’ was another TV ‘Philanthropic’ reality show I produced and presented in 2008. We invited people to inform us regarding any challenge they required assistance to overcome. We met the needs of many. OGE started in 2008 as a TV show as I’ve just said; the aim was to make people breath easier – give a helping hand here and there. One can safely say that I ‘ve lived a life of giving – a legacy of my mother who died when I was a teenager. Also, I belong to St. Vincent de Paul Society’ a society that takes care of the needy. OGE was able to assist a blind young man from Liberia to produce a music album. It was dream come true for him. A female footballer requested assistance regarding her mother’s restaurant business. OGE paid her rent, gave the restaurant a face-lift and coached her on marketing and accounting strategies.

    “We also showcased the story of Elizabeth – a young girl who was trafficked to Cameroon when she was seven. NAPTIP enabled her return to Nigeria five years later. We were informed by NAPTIP after our documentary, that she had been reunited with her family. The OGE TV show was on MBI, Lagos.

    “Last December, we organised the first OGE IDP’s “Get them” Games which provided an opportunity for the children and women to enjoy some fun and games while also affording the opportunity to convey to them and the wider audience, through the “Get Them” theme, of the dangers of human traffickers. OGE is based in Abuja and we’ve not received grants from governments or organisations. It is my own way of giving back and labour of love.”

    Tracing the history of the PFA now celebrating in its Silver Jubilee, Pepsie in equal measure gave unqualified kudos to both Nelson and veteran coach Kashimawo Laloko: “Both men have contributed tremendously to the success of the PFA. I don’t think PFA would have been a success without either. Mr Nelson was the National Marketing Manager  of Seven Up Bottling Company when coach Laloko went to Seven Up in search of support.Nelson visited the grounds where a couple of coaches were training about 40 youngsters in 1992,he liked what he saw and told Laloko to write a proposal.

    “One can say that coach Laloko was in charge of the technical aspects and day-to-day running of PFA, while Nelson was in charge of logistics in terms of events and branding.

    “From one centre in Agege to many across Nigeria, PFA proceeded to graduate players into the national teams. For example, the Samson Siasia’s team to Holland FIFA U-20 World Cup had eight PFA players. They won silver and they would have won the cup but for Messi! Of course there are the Henry Uches playing in the Nigerian league and later to leagues abroad.

    “There were scholarship schemes for talented PFA students to attend  St. Bede’s college in East Sussex and Brooke House College in Market Harborough, England. International coaching courses, including one that had Bryan Robson and Sir Geoff Hurst as instructors at the National Stadium Lagos. Training tours, ompetitions and events abroad, including the UK and Dubai.The yearly PFA national competitions and Festival of Youth. PFA has done very well in 25 years!

    “It’s 25 years well spent developing Nigeria’s youth. Some great footballers like Mikel Obi, Osaze Odemwingie. Others are disciplined young men contributing to the development of Nigeria in many fields.

    “I joined PFA in the late nineties. Incidentally, I did not meet Mikel, but  he was at the official opening of the PFA at the Onikan Stadium in 1996. He flew in from Jos with his mates from the PFA Jos Centre. Osaze was from the PFA Kaduna centre but I don’t remember meeting him as a PFA player…but of course I ‘ve met and interviewed him as well as Mikel as Super Eagles players,” posited Pepsie, as she speaks on some other interesting stuff. Excerpts…

    What’s in a name?

    Pepsie – it’s the shortened form of an exotic name – my Latin name –Perpetua; and my traditional name Ogechikanma Adiukwu – first name and Surname. Friends call me Oge or Pepsie. Ogechikanma means God’s time is the best – that’s been the story of my life – everything I’ve left in God’s hands/time has been done to perfection! Pepsie is self-driven, God-fearing and kind hearted with many flaws, and ‘different’. I take pride in knowing that there can only be one Pepsie Ogechikanma Adiukwu, hence I do not want to be anyone else. I count my blessings everyday and thank God because I know that I couldn’t have achieved it all without God’s grace. Presently, I am the director of an NGO, ‘OGE’ Empowerment Initiative. We aim to empower the under privileged women/children/youth in our community and enable them have a better life. I’m also a member of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland. An organisation that empowers, enables and educates girls and women. I love watching reality shows. I also enjoy telling real life changing stories. I wrote a couple of features – an assignment for my post graduate diploma course at the London School of Journalism. I intend to flesh them out into a book, God willing.

    From literary world to sporting  arena

    I watched the national team at the 1994 Nations Cup and was in awe of the dedication of the players, particularly Daniel Amokachi. The following year I wrote a booklet (collection of poems) titled ‘When Eagles Fly’, a tribute to the team of ’94 and some past ‘Eagles’. It was launched by the NFA as part of the events to mark their 45 years.

    I am a graduate of Foreign Languages and Literature, so it was a familiar territory. I meant that my writing was to be expected because of what I studied regarding literacy and football.  The most talented footballers are not the most educated but when you see those who combine both, you see something special. I did my youth service with the Nigeria Television Authority (Oba Ile). I worked at the NTA Victoria Island, Lagos, as an assistant to Danladi Bako. After ‘When Eagles Fly’, Tayo Balogun invited me to be a part of his TV show on MITV/ LTV.  I was a part of various shows on TV – NTA’s Super Express…I even hosted a couple of musical shows. I was part of a team writing for NTA’s Kidivision 101 and tele- movies. In 1998, I started my own TV show ‘Female Soccer with Pepsie’ and was produced/presented by me on NTA.

    Between hapiness and sadness

    When I see people get what they want or deserve I would scream and dance wherever I am. When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got engaged I almost wept. When good things happen, be it to others or myself, I’m happy. When bad things happen to others or myself, I am sad. Injustice in particular brings tears to my eyes, especially when it’s done by people who believe they are mighty to others who are helpless.My most prized possession is my family. I can’t imagine life without every single one of them! Someone who ‘turns up’ when you are in need is the best possession.

    I will never forget the day my mother died. I was in the hospital with her when the nun covered her up. My role models and those that have impacted my life are my mother and father, Oprah Winfrey and Iain Nelson. These are people that I will forever be grateful to.

    Between beauty regimen and quiet moments

    God did all the work before I came out of my mother’s womb. I powder my nose, wear lipstick and polish my nails when I want to.I like to have my quiet moments to meditate and it’s amazing what we can achieve when we make time to think. I also pray and sing a lot.

    Getting married

    God has been kind to me. When it’s God’s time…God’s time is the best. My Prince Charming should be God-fearing, kind-hearted and hard- working.

    My avid  sport  personalities

    Stephen Keshi left a huge impression on me with his kindness on the occasions that I had the privilege to be his guest as a journalist. Kanu Nwankwo, for his dedication to the less-privileged. At a point, I was the media director of Kanu Heart Foundation, and also part of the team that organised his wedding. I like his humour and humility. Another one is Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, the British Paralympic champion and member of the House of Lords and a Disability Rights activist. I interviewed her at Stoke Mandeville, England. I was in awe of her, for her dedication to her cause – pushing for a better quality of life for the disabled in the UK.

    My best holiday destination

    It has to be London. I did my post graduate diploma at the London School of Journalism in 2004. I have a couple of good friends in the UK. There’s just something about London. It’s not loud, not tacky, not pretentious. It’s everything I like. Whenever I leave Heathrow towards London, there’s a smile on my face. I attended many events there but my favourite is the Royal Ascot. On my third Royal Ascot, I attended the horse race wearing gele (head gear) and everyone thought I was an African princess. I was photo bombed and everyone requested selfies with me. I thereby started a trend for African ladies! I also enjoy my yearly ‘Race for Life’- a 5km race I take part in to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The theatre of course is another source of enjoyment.

    Thoughts about life and being a Nigerian lady

    Life is what you make of it. Everyone has the right to be here. Do what makes you happy. If you give out kindness you will not be in want of happiness. If one door closes, look for an open one or build one that you can open. My original quote about life is ‘Everybody wins, some, later than others’. The earth can accomodate all our successes – no need for envy. It’s all vanity in the end. Let someone breath easier because you live.

    Being a Nigerian lady for me is an opportunity to show that a woman can contribute to the development of the nation as much as a man. I’m proud of the nation God gave me. I speak out concerning the injustices done to girls and women. Wherever I find myself, I preach the gospel of ‘We are not all corrupt in Nigeria. Just like the rest of the world, we have the good, bad and ugly, and good can only overcome evil when we do things right.’ I ignore those who want to see the Nigerian lady in a particular light and gravitate towards those who respect and encourage me to be the best I can be.

  • ASISAT OSHOALA I’m still hungry to be Africa’s best

    ASISAT OSHOALA I’m still hungry to be Africa’s best

    Come January 4, the identity of the  2017 African Women’s Footballer of the Year will be revealed at the awards’ Gala in Ghana’s capital, Accra and Nigeria’s golden girl and  two-time winner, Asisat Oshoala, is eyeing an encore, reports MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN 

    Super Falcons and Dalian Quanjian forward, Asisat Oshoala, has turned  winning soccer awards to an art so much so it can been seen in the light of Vince Lombardi’s famous saying that ‘winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.’

    Since coming out of her teens,  she has bestrode the football ‘s landscape like a colossus by winning  the most sought-after African Women’s Footballer of the Year award on two occasions and with other eight individual awards in both  domestic and international competitions – including the golden boot and player of the tournament at the FIFA  Under-20 World Cup in 2014.

    Come January 4, Asisat would battle Chrestina Kgatlana (South Africa & UWC Ladies) and Gabrielle Aboudi (Cameroon & CSKA Moscow) for her third continental crown when the identity of the 2017 winner is revealed at the CAF/ Aiteo Footballer of the Year Gala in Accra, Ghana

    “I feel very happy and excited going for the third African Women’s Footballer of the Year award; it is good for me as a person as well as Nigerian football,” the 23-year-old Asisat stated in an interview with THE NATION.

    In the year under review, Asisat was crowned the Chinese Women’s Super League (CWSL) top scorer after her goals saw Dalian Quanjian claim the CWSL title for the 2016/2017 season:  “Of course, it’s not all about winning all the time because being shortlisted showed a certain level of consistency on my part and I’m really happy about that but I will really be happy to win African Women’s Footballer of the Year award for the third time.”

    Incidentally, CWSL’s side, Dalian Quanjian, is the third high profile side Asisat would turn out for after joining the overseas train in 2015.She is the first African to play in the Women’s Super League in England following her transfer from Rivers Angel to Liverpool Ladies and was described as ‘one of the best young players in the world’ by the then club’s manager – Matt Beard.

    It was when she was with the Reds Ladies that she was rewarded with the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year for 2015 following a poll held online, as well as via mobile phone and handheld devices and she received the most votes to become the winner ahead of four other contenders including Veronica Boquete (Spain), Nadine Kessler (Germany), Kim Little (Scotland) and Marta (Brazil).

    “Going to England is not just about me, it’s about Nigeria as well,”  Asisat reportedly admitted. “A lot of people wouldn’t have thought that a Nigerian player can go out to play for a team like Liverpool Ladies so I think it will have a big influence. Most people follow the Premier League, but they don’t really know much about the women’s league here. Now, because I’ve joined, they’re going to start following the WSL.”

    But after a brief stint with Liverpool Ladies, she was on her way to Arsenal Ladies where she won her only silverware in England after helping the Gunners pip Chelsea to the Women FA Cup before berthing in China.

    “Yet it’s true for people who don’t follow women’s football well to think that I may not be in the limelight after leaving England for China,” she further explained. “But Asian countries are doing very well as far as women’s football is concerned. Women’s football is at the very top level in Asia, particularly in China. Maybe people are looking at the men’s game to judge women’s football which is at the top level in China. I’m  really having a good time in China and I’m not disturbed about what people say.

    “Playing in China has given me the opportunity of meeting different people as well as some of the top female footballers around the world.  It is also an opportunity of learning another different culture. “This is just my first season in China and I can say it wasn’t a bad start for me; altogether I can’t quite remember the number of goals I had in all the competitions but I scored 12 goals in the league to win the top scorer award.

    “It feels so good to emerge the top scorer in only my first season in China where I had to compete with some of the best female footballers from around the world and I mean players like Cristiane ( Rozeria de Sousa Silva) and Rafelle Sousa , so I’m  proud of winning this award in the presence of some of these top players ,” she stated.

    Asisat worked her way to the top and she reckoned that former Super Falcons’ striker, Mercy Akide, now married to top sport journalist, Colin Udoh, was one of her biggest motivators while she was furrowing through the maze.

    “Growing up, I think Mercy Akide was one of the top players we had and I really looked forward to be like her,” she confessed. “Though I didn’t get to meet some of these people but watching their tapes, they inspired me a lot. I met some of them in the national team and they really nurtured me and they have really added value to my career.”

    Never the type to forget little kind gestures, Asisat singled out Onome Ebi, her Super Falcons’ teammate, as one of the many people that had influenced her on and off the pitch, no wonder they do things in common like Siamese twins.

    “Ever since I met Onome Ebi, she has been nurturing me both in and outside the field. In fact, I wouldn’t say Onome is my friend but she is my sport’s mum,” Asisat revealed. “We are really close; and she knows everything about me. I have confident and trust in her as somebody I can seek advice from anytime I want to do anything and she has been guiding me so well. Apart from my dad and mum, she is like the next person to me.”

    Yet, the lion-hearted striker had to rebel against the wishes of her parents to kick-start her career with the beautiful game of football.

    “Yes, it is true that I had the same issues with my parents because they never wanted me to play football because they felt football is not something for a girl-child,” remarked Asisat. “This is what happens to the girl-child in the society but I was determined on my part.  I’m really happy  about the stage I’m today and that shows  I was able to handle the responsibility my parents gave to me.

    “It was a big responsibility and my parents are now very proud of me. I can speak to parents so that they can allow their children combine sport with their education,” remarked Asisat who has established a foundation to offer assistance and mentorship for the girl-child.

    “If not for football, I would have been a lawyer today,” she continued. “I think I have the spirit (of defending the rights of others) right from my days in the secondary school. Some of my best subjects  then were government and literature  but along the line, I had to  quit education to be a professional footballer.

    “I’m happy doing things for kids, especially the girl-child and I’m happy with the way everything is going and with the kind of support I’m getting from people around me. I’m really concerned about the upbringing of the girl-child because I actually grew up in a rough area. I knew how things work and I know I’m in a good position to speak for the girl-child as well as helping them out in the best way I can.

    “Being a professional footballer is similar to working in a corporate environment, you have to be disciplined and focussed. It’s like a normal day-to-day job  but the most difficult  time was when I was struggling with my parents on the choice of career.  Ever since I don’t think I had any issue that so disturbed me,” explained Asisat who went to town with the hash-tag  #HappyGirlAlways on her Facebook profile.

    “It is true that I smile a lot  playing football  but  I’m sad anytime I lose a match,” she said. “It is difficult for me to think of anything that can make me sad outside  of football because I’m always a happy person.

    “I’m a natural person; being happy just makes me happy and I can’t honestly say this is what makes me happy. I think you should know what makes you happy because when the thing stops, you will become a sad person. Everything comes so natural to me. Money doesn’t make me happy but I’m working and getting paid,” she noted.

    Asisat has had an impressive career and three years ago, she was named best player and was the highest goal scorer at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. She was also named best player and second top goal scorer with the Super Falcons team who won the 2014 African Women’s Championship.

    “One of my happiest moments as a footballer was winning the first trophy with the Super Falcons for my country at the African Women’s Championship in Namibia and that was in 2014,” she grinned.

    “It was really a special moment for me because I just broke into the senior national team and I was one of the youngest players in the team. There was pressure here and there with some saying I didn’t have the experience to cope at that level, but I was given the opportunity.

    “I was so happy with my contribution to the success of the team.  I scored in both the semi-final and final. I took my chance and that’s why I’m here today.

    “It was also a great honour to be decorated with the MON (Member of the Order of the Niger); it is a big privilege to be recognised by my country as a young girl. This, I think, would also serve as good inspiration to younger generation coming up,” she offered.

    Nevertheless, this happy-go-lucky Asisat would not admit that she is a soccer celebrity.

    “I don’t think I’m a celebrity yet and I’m happy that people appreciate my game.  The usual thing they tell me is that they appreciate my game and they would ask after my friend, Onome.”

    It is said that there’s a difference between beauty and charm but Asisat’s beauty tips is weird. “My beauty tip is simple: I eat, sleep and mind my business. I don’t poke my nose into other people affairs. I eat good and my best food is fish and rice. Maybe amala (yam flour) too.

    “I love casual wears but if need be, I go on corporate  dress too. I’m an all-rounder, I wear just  what I feel like  wearing whenever I wake up.  I’m not attached to specific designs.  I love wearing good perfume too and sometimes I mix them together but the best for me is Coco Channels. I pick as many stuff I like when I go to perfume shop.  Books? I’m not a book person.

    I’m not reading anything for now; I’m off season and I  want to enjoy my holidays.

    “My fans and admirers should expect a better Asisat in 2018; a hard working person who wants to be a perfect example for the kids,” sounded of Superzee – the nickname she hinted means the super girl.

  • SALISU ABDULLAHI GERO: Why I’m giving back to my community

    SALISU ABDULLAHI GERO: Why I’m giving back to my community

    For Salisu Abdullahi Gero, aka Alhaji Gero, 24, playing professional football in Europe is still like a dream to him. He started football on the streets of Kano barefooted and for fun too. “I love the game of football as a teenager growing up in Kano and most of the tricks I know were picked up on the local grounds,” recalled Gero. Today, he plies his trade in Sweden for Ostersunds FK a top of their elite league. A skilful forward who was in the Nigeria U-20 team in 2012, has netted a couple of goals for his club and says he’s finding fulfilment playing soccer in Europe. His path to Europe was paved with thorns, but he dribbled through like he loves to on the field of play.

    Alhaji Gero was again among the goalscorers as his Swedish club Ostersunds FK stayed top of the Europa League group after a 2-2 draw with Athletic Bilbao of Spain.

    But it was not all good and rosy for the big Nigerian striker, who has recounted a tough beginning in Kano and how he could not afford to keep his sick younger brother alive. Sharing his interesting tale with TAIWO ALIMI, Gero spoke about growing up, breakthrough, Europe and family. Excerpts…

    Growing up in Kano

    My football career began in the streets of Kano in Nigeria. The clubs in the city were constantly looking for talent in the streets. They would put up tournaments and from there sign up children they thought would be good. The neighbourhoods met each other and when you turned out to be good at these matches you could be contacted by a bigger club who wanted to take you further. I was 11 years old when I came to a local club who were keen to sign me.

    In fact it was the first time that I had to play with soccer boots. Yes, we had to play with football boots. It was difficult initially to play soccer with shoes. It was much more beautiful without them. Our feet were probably hardened from all the games on the streets.

    I soon signed up for A class teams in Nigeria. I started with El-Kanemi Warriors, played for Lobi Stars, Kaduna United and Enugu Rangers before fortune smiled on me and my agent got me a club abroad.

    National team

    In between, I played for the Nigeria’s U20 team and did well in the World Cup qualifier with four goals. I had my debut for the Flying Eagles the 8-Nation Tournament in South Africa and there I scored  two goals against Tanzania at the 2013 African Youth Championship qualification. I scored again on the return leg of the same fixture which Nigeria has now won 4-1 on aggregate.

    I could not play part in the Africa Youth Championship as I was ill and couldn’t feature well for the team. However, the much I played I put in all my best and my agent told me he could get me contract abroad. That I should just keep my head low.

    I would get the chance in a Swedish team and the agent thought I would take the chance. I myself did not know much about Sweden, but he described it as a nice country with nice people and where there are no racists.

    Coming to Sweden

    When I left Nigeria for Sweden, I was only 19 and it was extremely difficult to leave my parents but my agent was there for me. He said I would be able to talk to parents and siblings daily. I signed for Oster IF and they treated me well. When the team got relegated I moved onto Denmark with Viborg but deep down I wanted to come back to Sweden. This was because I did not get playing time as much as I wanted in Viborg and so when my agent said that Östersund were interested in me, I was happy. I had thought about ÖFK since I faced them with Öster. They play the most enjoyable football in Sweden and I would love to be part of the team. The move was simple and after the first conversation with (coach) Graham Potter, I began to long for Östersund. Every morning when I wake up, I pray and thank God for giving  this opportunity to play football at this level. I’m in fantastic company with amazing people around me. Everyone supports each other and we hug and joke.

    Bread winner

    It is an opportunity to play in Europe and because I have parents and siblings to take cater for I consider myself the breadwinner in the family and I’m doing my best to support them. Yes, they need the money more than I do. Here in Sweden there is no struggle to get food. Here I can eat beef, chicken or what I feel anytime. That’s not so back home in Nigeria. I also send money to friends, but also to the hospital in the area where I come from. I support the local hospital because I came from there. There was a time my younger brother was sick and the hospital could not cater for his needs and we did not have enough money. That experience made me to realise then that they needed support and I’ve been sending money home to the hospital.

    It’s been seven years now. I remember it so well. We were in the hospital with him.