Weeks after winning her first-ever league title in Equatorial Guinea side Malabo Kings, former Osun Babes defender, Sarah Iloduba has described the feelings as “amazing.”
Sarah Iloduba moved to Malabo Kings earlier this year in March after not extending her contract with NWFL side, Osun Babes.
In an exclusive chat with Sports247 Nigeria, the versatile player said: “It feels amazing. I feel blessed and grateful to God especially winning in another country it’s just Grace” to win a league title.
Sarah was instrumental for Osun Babes over the years in their relegation survival in the previous two NWFL seasons and captained the side in absence of the team’s captain, Esther Elijah.
On how well she has settled down in her new city, Sarah confirmed to Sports247 Nigeria that it has not been an easy task for her.
“I wouldn’t say it has been easy. It’s never easy adapting especially where there’s a language barrier but I am most thankful to my teammates for their help and support.”
“I have language issues because they only speak Spanish and French but am trying to learn the few basics when it comes to communicating on the pitch. I’m still settling in but like I said the players are helping and it’s a good thing I have my Nigerian sister and a Ghanaian friend that can speak English and they help me through.”
When asked if there are any differences in the training methods in Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, the center-back noted that: “the training program is almost the same and good and it’s going very well with just little changes here and there.”
“Although I would say women’s club football in Africa still needs lots of support and development. African teams need to do more on female football.”
The defender who played 6 times for Malabo Kings and scored once stressed that she prefers to play in central defense when asked what position she prefers to play in.
“Yeah, I can play a lot of positions. Though sometimes the coach goes with a three-man defense, so I played as a ‘Rudiger’ and sometimes a wingback ‘Reece James’ (laughs) but I really love my CB position.”
Sarah and her Malabo Kings teammates will now prepare for the new season and the 2022 Women’s CAF champions league where they finished 4th in the 2021 edition losing third place to Morocco’s FAR Rabat after being beaten in the semifinals by champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Malabo Kings were founded in 2019 by Juan mãne Ondo and have clinched three titles in two years – the Equatorial Guinea Primera Division Femenina twice and the President’s cup.
