Academica Clinceni of Romania midfielder Michael Omoh, talks about life off the pitch, love for entertainment industry, growing up in Warri and many more in this interview with JOHNNY EDWARD
Were your parents against you playing football?
My parents were in full support of me playing football, especially my mother. My dad had doubts initially when I first started but later allowed me to follow the path I chose.
When was the first time you started wearing boots and did they fit on?
I can’t really remember the age when I first wore a pair of boots back then, but I was really young. It was my elder brother that got me my first pair of boots and it was a blue Nike boot. It felt strange wearing them at first because I was used to playing football with my bare feet. When I became comfortable playing with them, it became easy and my game improved the more.
What attracts you to the opposite sex?
Their looks to start with, before adding how smart and brilliant she is. Cleanliness attracts me as well.
Can you recall the first time you wooed a girl?
I can’t remember really.
What do you do before and after games?
I just make sure I rest well before games. I also listen to music a lot before games and of course I do commune with the almighty God about the game. After the game, I just try to eat few junk meals and rest for the next one.
If you were not a footballer, what would you have been?
I would probably be in the entertainment industry because I sort of like how they operate.
Which crazy things have you done as a footballer during games and in training?
I can’t really pick out a crazy thing I have done during a game since the start of my career. But I’m not that crazy type of player.
What was on your mind the first time you got to Europe? No friends, no relatives, was it easy?
It was not easy sincerely, because I was lonely initially. The only thing I thought about then when I arrived in Europe, was to remind myself that I needed to succeed in football, which got me there in the first place.
Every day, I thought about that, I stayed strong and kept on pushing till I signed my first deal in Europe a decade ago with Dalkurd FF in Sweden.
How did you feel the first time you scored a goal in Europe?
It was really nice and I felt good, really good. The goal was against Akropolis. We won the game 2-1. That win ended our three-game winless run back then. I think I scored two goals in my debut season that year.
You carry a Swedish passport now. If the Swedes invite you, will you play for them?
They talked about it severally when I played for Orebro and Ostersunds FK in the Swedish league then, but I always told my agent that I only dreamt about playing for the Super Eagles.
As a Warri boy, what was growing up like?
Growing up in Warri wasn’t easy at all. It’s like growing up anywhere in Nigeria with no money. It is the same there too. It was tough growing up without money. It was just about the survival of the fittest back then but with the grace of God, and my family, we all pulled through. The hardship is in the past now.
A lot of footballers live in big houses and drive big cars. Are you in that class of footballers?
Not really. I’m not moved by material things. Of course everybody likes good things but I’m not playing football to live the flashy lifestyle. I just started a charity work; I visit motherless babies’ homes. I want to affect lives in such ways, not just building houses and driving big cars. Those are going to come by the way but the main aim is to affect lives and give back to the community as much as I can.
Can you talk more on your charity work?
I have a sponsor, Work Safe. It’s a company in Sweden. After my first two months with the foundation, they came up as sponsors and they said they would like to do T-shirts and caps in my name. I designed the caps myself and they said the money will come to me. But I felt I have my salary and why not use the opportunity to do what I had always wanted to do? Half of the money that came to me, I used it to buy some items for the Little Saints Orphanage Home in Warri. It was a fantastic and emotional experience; it makes me want to do even more if I have the opportunity.
What about your relationship with the opposite sex?
Of course the women will come but I have to be careful. Some women come with favour, while some come with problems. So, I pray that the one that comes close should be what you want. It’s been tough. I’m not the most honest guy but I try to be cautious and stay focused.
Who do you model your football after?
I look up to Ronaldinho and Frank Lampard. But people are surprised because Lampard is not skillful and I’m a more skillful player. Why do I look up to him? I love him the way he sees football, his zeal to win and his movement box-to-box. That’s what attracted me to him. But Ronaldinho is an amazing and skillful player.
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