Chude@Chude_ND1
Super Eagles midfielder Onyedika Raphael organized a charity football tournament for his neighborhood, Awada!
Seeing this lineup got me emotional. Life is very unpredictable. Some of these guys were my classmates and neighbors in Awada. Growing up, most of them played better than Dinho. They all started chasing this football dream together with Onyedika (Dinho) in Ozalla FC in Ugwu-Nwamgbeke and then Liverpool FC (a football academy in our school then). But only Dinho and one other person made it internationally.
Many of them, like Godwin Osili (proper talent!), went for trials in Europe twice but it didn't work out. The guy was the fastest player I've ever seen. Agility 101! As a teenage kid in school, Godwin was phenomenal, very strong, extremely fast, and a skillful right back—a replica of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Many of them even had the chance to sign with Nigerian league teams when younger, but some turned down the opportunity. I know if given that opportunity again, they would take it.
There's no difference between professional players and these regular grassroots players! The difference is just opportunity!
I'm glad that Dinho is remembering home! We are all living the football dream through him!
Awada to the world!