TO say that Taiwo Awoniyi, Nigeria’s golden boy at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Championship in the UAE, is full of wiles and guiles in a positive sense is perhaps stating the obvious.
Cool, calm and collected but beneath his calmness is a guy full of wisdom who is very shrewd at talking so much so it would take some nudging to really get him to talk about some few things dear to his heart.
But in a landmark conversation with The Nation Sport & Style, the Golden Eaglets’ four-goal hero in the UAE finally came out of his cocoon as he revealed some intimate things first about his twin-sister; his career plans and childhood dream of becoming a medical doctor.
“I’m not quick at telling people about myself or about things I want to do,” said Awoniyi who started his national team career at the Under-15 level on his way to superb performance at the Under-17 World Cup in Abu Dhabi.
“I think back home in Kwara State and in Ilorin in particular, not many people gave me the chance to reach this stage in my football career and I personally kept so much to myself.
“In fact, I don’t usually tell people anytime I was invited to the national team can be ait at the Under-13, 15 or even this Under-17 and that was why a lot of them were surprised to see me on the television playing for the Golden Eaglets.”
Awoniyi reckons that he was not born with silver spoon and had to battle his way in order to make name for himself and his adorable family. He said his greatest possession is the family he came out from, adding that he would do anything to ensure that he remains the pride of his parents.
“I had so many challenges like any child that was not born with silver spoon,” he explained. “My father retired as a Prison officer but despite his meagre resources, he made sure that we were okay.
“I have never seen such a loving father like him because he would go the extra length to even borrow money from his friend s in other for us to school.
“He was always paying back such loans with interest but he never cared just because he wanted us to become somebody in life. This has been how he has trained all of us and beside my twin sister and me, my two senior brothers are already graduates, the third person is in the school of nursing. Maybe it is a result of my parents’ efforts to ensure that we go to school that many people did not believe I can make it in football.
“Some were always saying that ‘I should go and find some other things to do.’ But I had this feeling long time ago that I was going to use football to help lift the image of my family. After my dad’s retirement, he was able to build a house though far from where I was training and that posed a lot of challenges for me.
“He tried his best to give me transport for training but I knew he was just squeezing himself to do it and that was why I preferred to trek to training more often. Some of my classmates used to make jest of me over that but I didn’t bother because I knew God has something in store for me.
“Some felt I would go to the university immediately after my secondary school but I knew it has to be football for me. I was fond of telling them that ‘even if I go to the university, it was just to enhance my career as a footballer’ and I thank God that all is going well,” he said amongst sundry details. Excerpts…
Going into the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Championship in the UAE, the talk was that Success Isaac was going to score the goals to ensure victory for Nigeria but how did you cope with the pressure after he was injured?
The pressure wasn’t much for me because of the calibre of good coaches that we have. If you remember, I actually scored a goal almost immediately I came on as a substitute for Success following his injury in the second game against Sweden. Immediately after the game, the coaches commended me and told me what I needed to do in our subsequent matches and I’m so happy that all worked well in the end. They just told me to have the full confidence that I could get the job done with or without success and to God be the glory, everything paid off well. I actually scored four goals at the World Cup but those were important goals for me personally because they were vital and came at a crucial time for the team. They were goals that a lot of people didn’t expect from me and that made them so special for me.
Tell me about your twin sister, how close are you?
My twin sister is Kehinde and we are very, very close and we have so many things in common because we have always been together since our childhood days. We do most things together and she is somebody I really like so much because she has always being there for me. Several times, she was the one that bailed me out with transport money so that I can go to training. She was so supportive of my career and by the grace of God; I will ensure that she becomes a better person in life too. She has finished her secondary school and seeking admission into the university. We are identical twins and we do so many things together. In fact, I would be very happy if we can get marry the same day but that is a long-time dream since we are still very young. But I think there is that possibility that we can get marry the same day.
You’ve made some money with the Golden Eaglets, what are you going to do with it?
I’m still a kid and I’m going to give this money to my dad and mum to make good use of it for the family. What I’m looking forward is seeking ways to improve my career and I’m I really looking forward to the prospect of enhancing my career and if need be, I would like to combine it with my education.
How do you feel about your quick transition from Golden Eaglets to Super Eagles?
Foremost, I give God all the glory because he has always been my helper and the architect of my life. I thank God and was very happy when I heard about the invitation to the Super Eagles camp preparing for CHAN to be hosted in South Africa.
How did you receive the news, did you read newspaper or heard from the radio or somebody told you and who was that?
I was told by the Mr. Siji Lagunju, the chief technical officer of the NFF who incidentally, almost all the player who passed through the Under-13 and Under-15 regards as a wonderful dad to all of us.
What has been your experience in the Super Eagles camp?
It has been great with great daddy like Coach Stephen Keshi who is wonderful and cheerful coupled with encouragements from senior players who are always ready to tell me what I needed to do.
What are the challenges you are coping with and what is your chance of making the CHAN squad to SA?
I don’t have much challenges because all d senior players here are wonderful and always encouraging me all the time even telling me my weak points. About my chances of making the team, all that is in the hands of God.
How useful is the presence of Dele Alampasu, your teammate at Golden Eaglets with you in the Super Eagles?
It’s a great feeling having Alampasu in the camp and we are even roommates and that give us the chance to do a lot of things together. We are getting encouragement from all the coaches as well as the senior players and it make us very happy.
What are your wishes in the coming year and how soon are you joining a professional club?
My wish is for God’s mercy and blessing to keep following me; my family, my grassroots’ coach n team, my academy and Nigerians at large. I equally pray that God should assist me to achieve my dreams.
What are your future dreams?
I believe on d aspect of clubs, with God all things are possible and I think on the issue of joining a professional club, God’s willing all that is settled and by early next year, I should be ready for my club. I have other ambitions and I thank God that I have started achieving some even at my early stage. It is a privilege to play for the country at the Under-17 level and I pray it would be a stepping stone to greater things.
Which club will you like to join or are you joining next year?
