FOOTBALLERS are said to love three things: wine; women and cars. But Super Eagles attacking midfielder at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Babatunde Michael, believes there is more to life than those perceived inanities.
“Footballers are happy when they get what they want, and life is not only about cars, wine and women,” stated the 23-year-old who recently moved to Raja Casablanca after some exciting time plying his trade in Ukraine. “I’m always happy because I am achieving my mission and being able to play well every week has helped me to get into my good form.”
Babatunde, who moved to Ukraine straight from Heartland Football Club in 2013, had spells with FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih; FC Volyn Lutsk and FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk before berthing at Raja Casablanca where he’s already warming his way into the heart of the passionate and ever-demanding Moroccan fans. He has started his career at Raja Casablanca with renewed vigour scoring three goals and credited with seven assists in only his first five matches.
“The fans are happy and are always eager to see such good performance and I’ll do everything possible to improve on my good form,” he said.
Babatunde’s rise to stardom has been swift after he took to the game on the streets of Lagos where he was born on December 2, 1992. He honed his skills at Watermark Academy and later teamed up with Heartland before travelling overseas.
“I’m happy that I have been able to move to Morocco and playing consistently for Raja Casablanca since my arrival, it has given me joy and confidence,” revealed Babatunde who admitted that the arrival of his daughter, Angel Michael, on September 22, 2015 was his happiest day so far. “I don’t think my move to the Moroccan league is a setback having played in Europe before.
“My heart and soul is here because I am getting all I need to build up my career; I could have stayed in Europe and may not be happy but I need a place to keep myself fit and get better every week.
“When Raja Casablanca came into the picture, myself and my agent reviewed it and discovered it was a good deal, coupled with the fact that Raja Casablanca is a top club in Africa and one of the most supported club in the world.
“They have good reputations and my intention is to be happy playing here and I want to believe this is a good move for me; I’m happy and I love everything about Raja Casablanca,” noted Babatunde.
While many would argue that playing in Ukraine was not a big deal compared to the top leagues of Europe like Spain, Germany, England and Italy, Babatunde said he was happy that he was able to play in the troubled Eastern European country, adding he has many reasons to be thankful.
He explained further: “I wouldn’t say my stay in Ukraine was a bad one. I was exposed to some big games while I was in Ukraine; I was able to learn football from a technical and tactical dimension right from Kryvbas Kryvyi to Dnipro.
“I wouldn’t say it was a bad move because I got my first call up to national team while I was in the country. I went to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil while I was at Volyn Lutsk; and I had the chance to compete with some top rated stars in the league.
“I got good recognitions from the fans and good mention in the media but I had to leave Ukraine due to monetary issues. There is no gain in playing with pains, so I decided to terminate my contracts with Dnipro because there was no longer motivation for me,” hinted Babatunde as he dwelled on his new-found happiness in Morocco, amongst sundry issues, in a conversation with MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN. Excerpts…
Loving life in Morocco
I must be honest with you that I’m enjoying every moment here on the pitch and that’s my first priority. The fans always want to see me in action and I always try to give my best in order to justify my move. As a matter of fact, they have been keeping me going right from my debut day and I always hope to maintain such relationship with the club fans. Off the pitch, the relationship is cordial. I always move around with the intention to get better and help the team, so I am motivated to play better and deliver for the team.
Scoring goals and creating assists
My first goal for Raja Casablanca lifted my spirit. I don’t see myself better than those I met playing in the league, and as a matter of fact, there are even better players in the league. I have seen them and played against them and I can testify to their talents. I know why I’m here and I am achieving my aims and that’s just the key points. I know scoring goals as well as assisting others is very important to the team. My teammates have been very supportive and we all play as a team; everything is working well for me since I came here.
There was no truth in the reports claiming I was stranded and begging for money when I came into Morocco. But I don’t want to open much on the matter because the person who wrote the story has apologised. Even at the time they claimed I was stranded, the club lodged me in a hotel and was feeding me all through, so what else did I want?
World Cup injury set me back
The injury I had at the World Cup set me back seriously because it took a lot of time to get over it and with other injuries. But I have no regret over my career at this stage. I can always thank God for everything, and I believe I will attain that level I dreamt of. I believe it’s not over and that’s why I am taking things one after the other. It was one of the most challenging aspect of my life, but thanks to my agent, parents, my wife, kid and family as a whole. I got the proper support from every one of them because we all knew it was a temporary situation that one needs to experience in life. It has made me a better human being and better player. It’s a real sense of life but I have overcome the troubled times.
Missing Super Eagles
I missed Super Eagles but I can’t blame anybody for lack of innovation because I was not at my best, and at a time I was battling injury. I must confess that I miss playing for Nigeria. I don’t need to cry for invitation but to always be on top of my game. My call up to the Super Eagles is in my own hands and that’s what I am doing at the moment in Raja Casablanca. My performance will take me back to the national team in no time. Right now, I’m doing great, playing every week, scoring and creating goals but still I want to be a better player always.
Rio 2016 Olympics dream
I will be glad to be part of the Olympic team if the coach gives me a chance. I know I’m good enough to be in the team but everything is down to my performance; and the interest of the coach in order for me to suit his style. But nevertheless, I will always be a good supporter of my country irrespective of my chances. Siasia has given me chances in the past and I don’t think I disappointed him, but as I said before, I owe myself a big responsibility of going back to the national team.
