I was discovered as a footballer on the street – Oyelere

Ademola Oyelere is the captain of Unstoppable Academy Junior Team who has carved a niche for himself in the grassroots football in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area. In this interview, he told Saheed Afolabi how he was discovered from the street playing soccer.

Can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Ademola Oyelere. I am the captain of Unstoppable Football Academy junior team, I play as a right back and also a center half or center back. I have been playing for Unstoppable Football Academy for three years and I have enjoyed every bit of my stay there. I am hoping to secure a move abroad through Unstoppable football academy.

Who discovered your potential in football?

It was my coach, Yemi Fortune, who saw me in the street playing soccer and encouraged me to register at his academy and he also told me that I have the talent to succeed in football because I was always exceptional among my peers.

How supportive are your parents to your career?

I cannot pray for better parents because they are the best. They have supported and encouraged me wholeheartedly to succeed in my career. They buy my football kits for me anytime I am in need of them and also provide me with money for transportation anytime we are going for matches outside and within Oshodi.

Have you abandoned education to focus on your football career?

No, I am still in school and I am still going to further my education because if my career doesn’t work out, I will have something to fall back on. So, education is as important as my football career.

How do you combine both education and the football career?

Though it has not been easy combining both together but I strike a balance between the two by making sure they do not clashes with each other. Mondays to Fridays are my schooling days while training days are usually in the evening for us the junior team and we train three times a week. At the same time, I still find time to read and focus more on my studies because both are very important. Also, our matches are fixed for weekends because of school and we only play matches during the week only when we are on holidays in school.

If you have the chance to play for a top club in Europe, which club would that be?

That will be my favorite club – Barcelona because of their style of play which is very attractive and to also learn more about the technical aspects of the game as well as having the chance of playing with superstars. Another club that I would like to play for professionally is Spanish giant – Real Madrid.

Which player do you emulate while playing?

That is Dani Alves, who is a former Sevilla, Barcelona, Juventus and PSG right back. He is also the captain of native Brazilian club – Sao Paulo FC, and also the Brazilian national team captain. The reason I adore him is because we have the same playing pattern and I also watch his clips to improve myself. He is my role model who I look up to in football.

How supportive is your coach to your career?

My coach, Yemi Fortune, has been the bedrock of my career and has supported me a lot. I owe him my growth in my career. Since I met Yemi Fortune, my playing style and skills have improved tremendously beyond measure and I am very grateful to him.