Odenigbo Ebuka: I’m greatly inspired by HiFL Highest Goal scorer, MVP award
How happy are you with your victory in the just concluded maiden edition of the Higher Institutions Football League, HiFL? We are all excited by the laudable achievement. It didn’t come to us as a surprise. The grace of God plus hard work made it possible for us to emerge champions. It may also interest you to know that the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi is sports friendly. Serious attention is given to sporting activities in the school.
How much support did the team receive from the management of UAM?
Even before the football league, we have been enjoying unflinching support from the school authority. Anytime we have a competition to attend, the school ensures we are adequately motivated. So to answer your question, we didn’t lack the necessary support during the competition.
How many matches did UAM Tillers play to reach the final and which of them was the toughest?
In all we played seven matches. And the toughest no doubt was the final match against University of Calabar. We had a bad day but our opponents also didn’t have good strikers. They created chances but had no good finishers. I don’t know what happened but we simply couldn’t play to instructions. I thank God that in the end, we won the match on penalties.
Would you say HiFL is a step in the right direction as far as football development in Nigerian tertiary institutions is concerned?
It is highly commendable. I believe that the second edition of this competition is going to be better. I have never seen a tournament at this level that was better organised. The organisers of HiFL really tried their best. There was a level playing ground for all the teams that participated. It may also interest you to know that some of us had already chosen football as a career so this competition is a serious motivation.
How true is the report that some NPFL clubs are making enquiries about you?
It is true because after our victory in the final, my director of sports informed me that some clubs had contacted him. However, I am yet to receive a call from any of them. For now I am concentrating on my studies and universities competitions.
Do you mean there were there no cases of cheating, like use of mercenaries?
There was none. That is why I told you that I am highly impressed with the organisation of this competition. When we went for the football competition organised by JAMB, in Ilorin, there was nothing like screening. It was like free for all. In HiFL, it was a different experience. They ensured only eligible players participated from the beginning to finish.
How confident are you that UAM Tillers will successfully defend their title next year?
We shall work hard to retain our trophy. Even as I am speaking with you, we are on the training field. We are preparing for NUGA games. Like I told you earlier, sports particularly football is a serious affair in UAM. We don’t joke with football. So we are not going to rest on our oars.
As students how do you combine academics with football?
The university management understands with us. As athletes representing the institution, we have some privileges. Moreover, most of our competitions take place when we are on break. When we hosted NUGA, the school was on break. When we went to Ilorin for the JAMB tournament, we were on break. During HiFL, we were on break. And for training, most of us don’t have lectures in the evenings so we go for training at 4pm week days. We then train in the morning on Saturdays and Sundays.
You emerged the Highest Goal scorer and you were picked as the MVP. As a young man, how are you coping with your new fame?
It is not going to get into my head because I know what I am pursuing. This is just the beginning of the journey. I have a long way to go. The same applies to my team mates. We are not going to allow this success get into our head. Moreover, we have next year to defend this title. If we don’t do well, our critics will conclude our victory in the maiden edition was by accident.
You must be the toast of female students in UAM.....
(Laughs) It is natural for ladies to identify with me but it all depends on me. I know what is required of me to succeed in life. For me, it is football before any other thing.
In the midst of other sports, what informed your choice of football?
I have a strong passion for football. No other sport would give me the joy and satisfaction I derive from football. I started playing football right from when I was very small.
How much support did you get from your parents when you started playing football?
Thank you for this question. In my family everybody knows how to play football. When I completed my secondary education, I told my mother that I wanted to play football and she agreed. However, my father advised that I should further my education. My elder brother too said he wanted to play football. So our parents had no option than to allow us pursue our dreams. However, when there was no instant breakthrough, my elder brother advised me to write JAMB. He said even in the university football is played. So I sat for JAMB and was admitted into the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi in 2016. Right from my first year in the school, I joined the football team and in my second year, we won the football event in the NUGA that we hosted.
Your parents must be proud of what you have achieved so far...
Yes, my parents and siblings are so proud of me. When they watched the HiFL final which was televised live on supersport, they were extremely happy. After the match, I spoke to each of them and I could feel their excitement.
Do you also have the dream of playing for the Super Eagles in future?
Yeah, my dream is to play for the Super Eagles. However, I can start from somewhere. I am eligible to play for the Flying Eagles. I am now in my third year in the university. When I graduate, I will have enough time to play professionally.