Nigeria international defender, Kenneth Omeruo has revealed his excitement over the development of his academy after two of his groomed players was selected by Leganese in a just-concluded scouting program in Abuja.
The former Chelsea player who flew in after his team match on Monday to be part of the program stated that this is just the beginning of good things to come as he aims to give life to youth with potentials, bring them out of poverty, and raise them to stardom through the academy.
In a fielded question from journalist, Omeruo gave insight to his long-term plan, failed Chelsea move, Leganese chance of promotion to the first division.
A dream you have nurtured for so many years, now a reality, how do you feel about starting Kenneth Omeruo Academy?
I feel happy with the crowd and the quality I have seen here. I want to appreciate my coach, Coach Abimbola also Coach Ogbuwisia and Emeka for the time to train and select the boys. This is purely by merit, am happy for what have seen.
You are so passionate about this Academy Project, you played a match with Leganese on Monday and yet you flew into Nigeria, any moment from now, you going back. Tell us how passionate you are about this dream.
Football is my passion and you know there isn’t a lot of opportunities out there especially for young players because if we have to wait for the players to play in the national team U-17, U-20. We wouldn’t get the best players and you know most times the best players don’t have transport fare to go to these trials. I know a lot of boys I paid for their transport despite how free this is because they said they are far and have no transport fare. I have to make sure they come and see if I can help one or two to achieve their dreams.
Already two of my players have signed a contract with my club Leganese and opened way and opportunity for me that as long as the players are good, they can come. I have other platforms am working on to make it possible for these kids to realize their dreams.
What will be your satisfaction at the end of the day with the Academy?
My satisfaction will be at one point when I finish playing, I can go on Tv and see a lot of my boys playing out there, able to lift their families out of poverty. We can’t all depend on the government to help us and with this, they can make it.
You have an already established relationship with the Leganese management that you have opened ways for other Nigerians, in the past, we don’t get to see that opportunity. What do you think happened in the past where former players have not been able to establish that kind of relationship with their clubs?
I think it actually depends on the player. Some players just want to do their job and look for the next club to go to. Every club I’ve played for, I always try to maintain a perfect relationship with and professional at all times because you never know where the next coach will be the next year. I still speak with my coach from 2011, he’s gone to different clubs but we still keep contact same as all the coaches have played under because tomorrow you might need them and they will be there.
How do the boys access the way you want the Academy to be, looking at how exciting they are?
It is a free trial, you have to come if you are sure and good within the age range we are looking for. If we see you have a quality, we will help you develop it and then you are definitely on the right track. One thing I usually say to my players is that you have to respect your parents especially your mum because you need thier prayers to be able to move forward. There are a lot of amazing talents here. I saw videos the first day, it was overwhelming because of the crowd.
Are you looking forward to a day you will play in the NNL or NPFL or just keep it at the Academy level?
For now, it’s an academy, we don’t know what tomorrow brings.
In 5 to 7 years’ time, If any of these boys are fortunate to play for Super Eagles, how would you feel?
I will feel happy and will always encourage them to remember this day and come back and try to do something like this.
Can Leganese return back to the first division?
Definitely, I wish you guys watch the games, we have an amazing team and we play good football. We were unlucky most times and the second division is really tough but we are focused on this. There is nothing like what if it doesn’t happen, it has to happen this year.
A lot of offers came your way after Leganese relegation but you refused all, why did you stay put?
Firstly the club didn’t want to let me go, I remembered when I came back before the beginning of the season and the president asked me, Kenneth, are you going to fight with the club or leave? I asked if he’s going to cut my salary to 50%, he said yes so I said we might have a problem. In the end, I thought about it a lot. I have played for two years in Spain, this is the club that gave me the opportunity. When I was in Chelsea, I was always being loaned out to several clubs, I didn’t really feel at home, that was the first time I felt at home in a club so it’s only fair that at least one year in the second division and come back. If we come back, I have confidence that I belong to the club more and they will appreciate me because of the promotion.
