Playing in the North African Leagues or Europe has always been a challenging one for Nigerian players who have moved out of the shores of the country. Though many of them have excelled excellently, some have had a hard time coping with the intensity, language, environment and other factors around their environment outside the country, yet, many prefer the outside world to their domestic league
From the land of the Desert Foxes, Nigerian and USM Khenchela of Algeria forward, Oluwatosin Omoyele Exclusively shared deep insights into his journey so far, challenges, adjustment, league philosophies, likes, current state of mind and plans around him.
Tosin in an online interview with journalists on “Naija Footballers WhatsApp Platform” anchored by UK-based Nigerian football guru, Ademetan Abayomi, Friday, July 14 evening, took the journalists through the unshared stories of his life.
Speaking about the Algerian league, the former Plateau United forward praised the league in a high tone, tagging it as a highly competitive and great league that has produced great players and the current CAF Confederation Cup winners USM Algers who defeated Young African 2-2 on aggregate in the finals.
“Algerian league is not bad, as you can see they always represent very well at CAF competitions. It’s been tough and exciting to play in the league.”
“There are few experiences, I played alongside many national team players and coaches because before you can play in the Algerian league, you must have had at least a cap for your national team which is not easy to come by, but I’m excited that I’m here.”
“I have enjoyed the league anyways, it’s an opportunity for me, not that I was the best to be out of the NPFL. There have been a lot of improvements in my football game and also off the pitch, you must behave well to keep your image as the clubs do take note of that.”
“I tried coping with the language because they speak French and Arabic, but thanks to some of the people around me, it has helped a lot.”
“The supporters are very special. They always want you to give them your best, they are always happy for the team when they are doing fine and you know, you can’t always get it right in football, but they want minimal failure over there because they are fixated on winning.”
The former Osun United player said life in Algeria hasn’t been that easy, but he’s been living it to his best abilities.
“Coping with life in Algeria hasn’t been easy – all my life here has been training, sleeping, eating and going out to buy things, but it’s not a place where many foreigners are to associate with.”
His sojourn abroad hasn’t changed his love for local delicacies, though didn’t mention if he still gets them easily abroad.
“My favourite food is ‘Amala and Ewedu’. My favourite colour is white and black; I prefer staying in Lagos, though if I’m invited to another state, I would go.”
Tosin who joined Enyimba International from Plateau United in 2020 took out time to appreciate the men who have been there for him in his footballing career. He mentioned mercurial sports journalist cum administrator, Tunde Sbamsudeen as a man he owes a lot. Also, the former face of City Of David (COD) United mentioned the former Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary, late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi as a father figure.
“Mr. Tunde Sbamsudeen is a God sent for me – when I was in Osun United, he always rooted for me, advising me, encouraging and praying for me. He encouraged me whenever I scored many goals and was always there whenever the goals were not coming.”
“He introduced me to late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi (Former NFF General Secretary) another great man who helped me a lot – I would have still kept respecting him if he’s still alive. Mr. Shamsedeen was there for me anytime I have offers and would always advise me on the right club to choose. He’s a family member to me now.”
Though the light-skinned forward is enjoying life in Algeria the way he could, offers from Europe won’t be a bad one for him.
“I will grab it up if the opportunity comes for me because everybody still aims to play in Europe regardless of your age so far you feel you can still play. I will go wherever I find a new challenge, I will be happy because I’m still hopeful for many opportunities, but if none is coming, I will keep playing and do my best because I’m still young, but whatever will help my career and family, I will love to be there.”
The one-time Katsina United player commended his team for their satisfying displays so far in the season that ends next Saturday – despite being a newly promoted side they can mount fifth position and could still make it to the continent if they win their last game and other results go in their favour.
“It’s an opportunity for me to play in the Algerian league. The league is ending this Saturday and we thank God that we are not in a difficult situation in my team, we were in the continent space during mid-season but stayed in the league. We beat a lot of teams and showed people that we are ready. I’m grateful to my teammates and coaches who stood by me in difficult times. The season is ending this Saturday and we sit fifth now, we could go second or third if we win our last game. For now, all I have is to go home and enjoy the break with my family and from there, I can think about what next season holds.”
No journey is overtly smooth – the father of one (boy) hinted at a decision that he calls not a regret, but a bit not okay about his career.
“My worst decision was when I went to Egypt on loan from Plateau United there were a lot of offers and there was a transfer price tag placed on me by then – the team I played for there went into relegation and they wanted me to talk to them so that they can benefit from my sales to offers they had opportunities for me.”
“They gave me a lot of assurance on teams coming for me, but I was too eager when I was making my salary’s demand coupled with Plateau United and the team’s offer made the deal collapse.”
As an average Nigerian, the Lagos boy prefers a simple but nice outfit – ahead of native wear.
“I prefer wearing a round neck and jeans with a nice trekker. I prefer foreign wear to locals because I’m not used to wearing native clothes, but I do wear them once in a while.”
Every loved player surely has who they also love amongst the players they have either played against or watched from afar. Tosin’s choice won’t disappoint you.
“I admire a lot of players in the NPFL, there were players you would want to be like. My former teammate at Plateau United, Oche Odoba is my favourite player and Coach Kennedy Boboye is my favorite coach in the NPFL. I played better under him, he knows everything about me, even when things weren’t going on fine, he took me like a son.”
“On the international scene, Lionel Messi is my favourite player.”
While mentioning his Nigeria Premier Football League best eleven, the former Nogoom FC of Egypt forward mentioned his most dreaded team in the NPFL.
“Late Kingsley Udoji and Emmanuel Anyanwu are my most feared defenders who always show me their hard boot anytime we have a match.”
The 26-year-old meanwhile relishes his best time so far in his one ten years of football career.
“My best moment in the NPFL was with Plateau United – when we played against Kano Pillars in the Super Six and when I was invited to the CHAN team.”
“The greatest moment of my career was when I was called up to play for Nigeria against Athletico Madrid, though I have been called to play in the CHAN team, I couldn’t make the team to Morocco due to inexperience, but the coach gave me another opportunity and that happened to be my greatest moment because I had my family and loved ones watching me from everywhere.”
The dream of every player is to play for their national team, but the City of David academy product is not in a rush to make one, although, he hopes the day comes.
“National team call-up is what every player wants and I did my best in that game against Athletico Madrid. I’m not disappointed about not getting the Super Eagles call-up because we have a lot of players and protocols – I believe when it’s my time, I will get it.”
Tosin who has scored two goals and one assist for his team mentioned some differences in the Nigerian league and leagues abroad.
“Management aspect – all management here always works to get sponsors so that they can pay salaries and make everything okay for their players because they don’t depend on the government, but in Nigeria, we always wait for the government’s allocation – in that aspect, is give it to the Algerian league.”
“Playing and officiating – In the NPFL, I think the just concluded season is better cos I watched some of the games on TV, the Super Six. In Algeria, there are always about five games on the TV out of about eight. Egypt is the best so far, I think. The Federation funds the teams because they have many sponsors and they don’t focus all their sponsors on the national teams because about 50% goes to the league and the distance of travelling isn’t more than four hours, it same in Algeria – we travel at night most times and you are not scared of kidnappers, not scared of an accident.”
Just as a wise man saves for the rainy days and puts their treasures in various investments for the future, Tosin shares a little about his plans for the future.
“(Smiles). Everybody wants a good future; I’m someone who listens to advice and I think the little I’m getting I’m saving for life after football.”
Tosin’s All time NPFL 11
Goalkeeper – Dele Ajiboye
Center backs – Ogene Elijah, Solomon Junior
LB- Daniel Itodo
RB- Amaefule Chizoba
MD – Farouq Mohammed, Oche Odoba
FW: Reuben Bala
LF: Tosin Omoyele
ST: Sikiru Alimi, Jesse Akila