I Want To Be The Next Lampard — Segun Abdul

Growing up

I am Abdul Oluwasegunfunmi Michael from Ondo State, Okitipupa to be precise. I’m 18 years old and last season I played for a Dubai Club side, Al Rams. My early days in Nigeria used to be fun until I relocated to Dubai all in the name of football. Educationally,  I am a product of National Youth Service Corps Nursery and Primary School, Bunza, Kebbi State and I also attended Government Science and Technical College, Kebbi Sate for my secondary education and here I am all in the name of football.

Inspiration

Football has been part of me,  since I was born, close to two decade ago. Even when I was a little boy, I realised I can’t do anything perfectly than playing the round leather game. It has always been my dream because I had the passion since I was a kid. It’s something I have always wanted to do, I have never wanted to do anything else. My slogan remains it’s soccer or nothing and I stand by it.

Grassroots Team

I played for several grassroots football clubs like Go Ahead FC, Ibadan, Folaseun Academy, Lagos and I also have a stint with Football College, Abuja. I joined the Abuja based club with the mindset of playing an Under-19 tournament in Europe which is also capable of fetching a contract but sadly, it yielded no result. Aside that, I’ve attended several trials in my quest of rising to stardom but I believe God’s time is the best.

Dream Club

Yes! Borussia Dortmund remains my dream team. The atmosphere while watching their games is always electric. It’s just somewhere I love and wish to be. Germany is my dream country, so being their won’t be a mistake.

Role Model

My number one role model remains the legendary Frank Lampard after which I will go for Super Eagles’ Oghenekaro Etebo. I chose both because I love their style of play. The duo are good in marking and I also envy their energetic style of play. One can easily spot them on the pitch because they are everywhere. Football is about having the ability to play, attack and defend and with those qualities, they remain my role model.

Playing for Super Eagles

Off course. Nigeria is my country and if given the chance, I will feature for the Under 20 team known as the Flying Eagles and also proceed to feature for the senior national team known as Super Eagles.

Life outside Nigeria

Yes life has been fair to me. Although things are not as easy as people think. I stormed Dubai 1st of January 2020. My maiden Dubai club was Al Wahda but I left the club after the then raging COVID-19 pandemic halted the league. Although at age 17, I was to feature in the junior league and with my little spell, I bagged the Man of the Match Award in the duel against Shabab Al Ahli.

Junior Team at 18

Here in Dubai, things are quite different from what we have out there. In other part of the world, a player below age 18 can feature in the main team but here in Dubai, the policy is different. A player must clock 19 and above before giving a chance to feature in the first team. I have what it takes to play for the main team but age keep depriving me of such great opportunity. But I know it’s a gradual process, I’ll overcome that soon.

Trials back home

Sorry to say, there are lots of corruption in Nigeria football. As a little boy, my dream was to feature for the then Under 17 team known as the Golden Eaglets, but I was dropped because I failed to bribe an agent with a whopping sum of five million Naira. I was shown the exit door at camp in Abuja and I felt sad. The exit caused me some set back because had it been I was able to get the money, I would have made it to the U-17 African Championship and even the FIFA under age competition. But I thank God for the  blessing in disguise.

My Parents

Yes they are. I thank God for the kind of parents I have. They’ve been so supportive in all aspect. Even when I am down, they  inspire me to keep pushing hard and I want to use this medium to promise them better future. I know more amazing offers will come my way in days to come. I can’t wait to see them eat the fruit of their labour.

Challenges

I have experienced a lot of terrible past most especially in football. It is countless from the days of grassroots football. I have been to camp with empty stomach, I’ve once faced rejection and other ugly scenario such has training hard daily with no expectation of any income but I thank God for my present situation.

Sources: SportingSun