On a typical day, what you see on Taiwo Awoniyi’s BlackBerry personal message or display picture may not be far from this: ‘If I don’t believe in everything …I believe in God’ or better still; ‘you may see my struggle but I will never quit, time will tell because my God is able.’
Indeed, Awoniyi would be the first to admit that it’s God over everything on his career from the dusty streets in Ilorin before springing to world acclaim two years ago at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup where he shone with the Golden Eaglets like the neon light in the dark by scoring four goals which helped Nigeria to her fourth title at the global cadet championship.
Since 2013, Awoniyi’s career has been on the rise. His goals helped the Flying Eagles to a gold-rious finish at the 2015 African Under-20 Nations Cup in Senegal Eagles and were also part of the team futile bid to annex the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand. In spite of the Flying Eagles’ relative success in New Zealand, Awoniyi’s potentialities was there for all to see and he was soon on his way to England to append his signature for top English Premier League side, Liverpool Football Club.
Born August 12, 1997, Awoniyi’s style is already being compared to that of Rashidi Yekini, Nigeria’s all-time highest goal-scorer. In 2010, he was voted the Most Valuable Player at a Coca-Cola football competition in London. His performance at the competition was spotted by Seyi Olofinjana who made him join Imperial Soccer Academy from his grassroots team, United Academy Football Club in Ilorin.
In his most revealing interview yet since moving to England in August where he has now been farmed to FSV Frankfurt in the 2.Bundesliga, the Nigerian sensational youth international admitted his career beats the imagination. By coincidence, he will also be flying the country’s flag at the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, Senegal 2015, which serves as the qualifying tournament or Rio 2015 Olympic Games starting this weekend.
“All praises and honour to God, the Almighty because him alone made it possible for me to be where I’m today,” Awoniyi said in his usual humble hue. “I have strong faith in life that anything whatsoever that happens to us is destined and ordained by God, so I will just say that signing for Liverpool was where God has destined for me and that is the only reason I can attribute to it.”
Before now, Awoniyi had squealed about some of the things he would love to do in the future: “There are many ways one can work for God and not only by preaching but in so many other ways.
“I’m an easy going fellow whose ambition and dream is to work for in God all through my lifetime. It is not about being a pastor but I guess, he who puts his trust and hope in God alone has it all.
“Yes, I would like to have a charity foundation in the future. But I do things one at a time because the scriptures say think not of what tomorrow holds since it’s going to take care of itself.
“Everything’s lies in the hands of God and if am giving the grace to (have a charity organisation) I will surely do so in the future,” he noted, even as he speaks on sundry issues with MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN.
People behind the scenes
A lot of people have helped me along the way but I want to acknowledge the roles played in my life by coach Abdulrasaq Olojo who I consider as a father and my entire teammate and childhood friends at United Academy Football Club in Ilorin. Also my academy director, Mr. Seyi Olofinjana, and his partner, Bankole Atiba .Special thanks to my pastors and the entire members of the Christ Apostolic Church Redeemers Chapel In Ilorin; my wonderful parents, my brothers and my darling twin sister, Kehinde Awoniyi . I’m also grateful to coach Manu Garba, Nduka Ugbade, Emmanuel Amuneke and Emeka Amadi and the entire back room staff of the 2013 Golden Eaglets’ World Cup-winning team as well as that of the national Under-20 team. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Mr. Siji Lagunju who groomed most of us, including Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidera and many others from our days at the national Under-15 level. I would also say a big thank you to the national under-23 coach, Samson Siasia, and the backroom staff that have all assisted me in one way other. There are so many other people that I can’t even remember but I’m grateful to all of them right from my days in the grassroots days to the national team set up. A very big thank you also to my state’s Kwara Football Association for and others like Mr. Haruna Ilerika, Mr. Bako and several others who have helped me along the way.
Fondness for Liverpool
It is a dream place that I’ve always loved to be. Being signed by a club in England, especially by Liverpool, was destined by God. I want to thank God for the opportunity and I believe this is the right place for me since this is a club that developed and brought out young talents with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Coutinho and I believe with God’s help I will get the opportunity one day also.
I have been expecting this question (the kind of feelings I had the day I signed for Liverpool) but I
was just looking at my dad and Mr. Seyi Olofinjana and his partner, and I was giving thanks to God. I asked myself: ‘Is this really me that all of this was happening to?’ I felt very much privileged to have signed for Liverpool.
I really have to thank God because a lot was said about Seyi Olofinjana on the social media that he was fraudulent and was sorry that people spoiled his name and I really thank him for helping me out.
Settling down in Frankfurt
It’s been great coming down to Frankfurt so that I can learn more and improve my game. The people generally and my teammates have been wonderful. This is a nice place with great and a more experienced player to learn from; the coach is also wonderful and has been trying to bring out the best in me. I’m also learning from the senior and more experienced players I met here. I was involved in a cup game recently but we lost 2-1 . I’m enjoying my time here and most people have told me about our great player, Okocha, when he played here with Eintracht Frankfurt. Luckily for me, I met him when he came to Frankfurt recently. I was really lucky to meet him at the dinner. I walked to him and greeted him. He said he was told about me and he advised I should keep my head down and believe with God and hard work, all things will be easy for me.
My favourite players
I have always liked skilful players especially strikers like Nwankwo Kanu, Thierry Henry, Ibrahimovic and, of course, Jay-Jay Okocha. They are all lovely to watch and usually feel happy when watching some of these great players. I really like Okocha when I watch the tape of the match between Nigeria and Cameroon when he scored a free kick in the dying minute (2000 African Cup of Nations final match in Lagos). I think he had special skill.
Under-23 Championship
We pray it is going to be a great tournament for us in Senegal; all of us have to put in our best so that we can get one of the tickets for the Olympic Games in Brazil. We are going to take every game seriously and I believe God will help us.
Greatest fear
My parents and my grassroots coach used to tell me ‘never to let go of God because once that happens, nothing else will follow than for him to leave you and then you are on your own.’ So, I don’t want to do anything to lose God’s favour.
My future
God alone knows what the future holds but I believe with hard work and faith, it will be what God has destined for me in a positive way. Members of my family give me joy and they have been the pillars behind my success; they are wonderfully made people for me by God.
What can make you cry?
We only give thanks to GOD because in all things, we should give thanks. God is leading me to where he wants me to be. I’m happy for my friend, Kelechi Iheanacho, and I’m not surprised that he has settled down at Manchester City because he is someone I have been with right from time.
He used to be my roommate while we were in the U-17 and U-20. Of course, there is always something new to talk about and share with the fans but I will just leave with one, which is: ‘In all things with GOD, all things are possible and he alone does things at his own time.’
