‘How okada accident ended my Man. Utd dream’

When and how did you get into the game of football? My names are Odeh Ogah. I hail from Oju Local Government Area of Benue State. I was born in 1982. In my playing days, I was called Ferdinand because people said I played like Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United. I began my football career […]

When and how did you get into the game of football?

My names are Odeh Ogah. I hail from Oju Local Government Area of Benue State. I was born in 1982. In my playing days, I was called Ferdinand because people said I played like Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United. I began my football career right from my primary school days and I later played for St. Francis Secondary School Otukpo. After my secondary education, I was identified by a coach who came to Otukpo to scout for players. He took four of us to Gwandu United in Kebbi State and that was where I began my professional career in 1996. From Gwandu, I moved to Sharks of Port-Harcourt. I passed the screening but was asked to play for the Feeder team but along the line I was invited by Steel Pioneers of Warri where I played the 1997 season. I then moved to Delta Stars. While playing for Delta Stars, I was not popular back home so during the State Governor’s Cup, I usually returned to play for Agatu United. It was during the State Governor’s Cup competition that I was spotted by officials of Lobi Stars. I signed for Lobi in 2000. I grabbed the opportunity given to me and I started making the first team. I played for Lobi till 2005 when I left to join Enyimba FC.

You joined Enyimba immediately after they won the CAF Champions League back to back, did you find it difficult breaking into the first team?

It’s true I joined when the club was on high but when I was given the opportunity to play, I grabbed it with both hands. I immediately commanded the first team shirt. The club is big and has never lacked quality players. But I did not find things difficult because everybody knew what I was capable of doing.

Would you say it was Enyimba FC that exposed you to national team handlers?

Not at all because even before I joined Enyimba, I was going to the national camp. I was part of the U-20 team under Ganiu Salami and Ben Duamlong. I was also a member of the U-23 team under Coach Godwin Uwua. Before the accident that ended my career, I was regular member of the home based Super Eagles. I was one also part of the Eagles that camped in Faro, Portugal before the 2006 Nations Cup.

In 2007 you were involved in an accident that ended your blossoming career. How did it happen?

Yeah, in 2007, I was playing till April when I had a call from my manager. He said he had got a deal for me in Europe, Cyprus to be precise, so I should come over to Lagos. It was for me to go and sign a deal. It was a sealed deal. I was not going for trials but signing of the contract papers. Due to the urgency, I rushed down to Lagos and we went to the Embassy. However, we were told that it would take two weeks for us to get the visa. But due to my club engagements, it was not possible for me to wait that long. So we pleaded and got the club’s president involved. He intervened and I was to get the visa the next day. On my way back to the hotel where I was to spend the night before I would depart the next day, I decided to pick a bike, popularly called Okada so as to beat the hold up. You know Lagos is full of traffic jams. Unfortunately, we did not go far before we were hit from behind by a reckless danfo diver. Instantly my left pelvic shifted from its normal position and that ended my football career and dream of playing for Manchester United, the club I have been supporting for so many years now.

When you had the accident, did you imagine it would end your career?

Honestly I did not. When it happened, I was not so disturbed because I believed it would heal in time for me to return to action. Unfortunately, it was never to be as days rolled into weeks and weeks into months but the pains refused to go. It was at that point that I began to entertain fears.

Did you seek any medical attention to have the dislocated pelvic corrected?

Yes, I did. I first contacted my former team mate in Lobi Stars, Dayo Davies who plays for a club in Israel. I discussed with him and sent my X-ray to him. He took it to his team doctor. When I spoke with the doctor, he said he had seen the X-ray and the surgery would cost me $12,000. But I did not go to Israel because I had delayed and the doctor eventually said some of the ligaments had got weak so even if I had the surgery, I would only walk normal but they cannot guarantee me playing football again. I did not stop there, I sent the X-ray to my former team mate and friend, Joetex Frimpong in Switzerland. The doctors in Switzerland told me the same thing. They also said after the surgery I would walk normal but I cannot play again. It was at that point that I discarded the idea of going for a surgery. All I wanted was for me to play football again but if that was not going to be possible, I saw no need spending so much to have a surgery when I would not be able to play again.

What role did Enyimba FC play in terms of giving you the medical attention you needed?

Enyimba were not happy with my move because I did not tell them that I wanted to travel. I took the decision based on what I know about the club. Usually when any of their regular players wants to leave, they are never happy and would do everything to frustrate him. So I took the decision and after the incident, they kept me for one season but after that they stopped paying my monthly wages. Nothing else was done to help me treat the injury.

After the accident, did you at any point feel somebody was responsible for the misfortune that befell you?

I heard a lot of things but I always believe there is no power that is above God. If he did not allow it, it wouldn’t have happened. Maybe He only shielded me away from something that would have claimed my life, if I had travelled to Cyprus.

How were you able to over-come the set back you suffered as a result of the accident?

One month, two months, three months, after the accident, I began to feel as if my world had come to a sudden end. I didn’t expect what happened to me. I know where I was supposed to be if not for the accident. I was like down and out. But I really thank God for Mr. Dominic Iorfa, the vice-chairman of Lobi Stars. He is like God sent because he came at the right moment to rescue me. I was dying gradually. He called me and asked me to join Lobi Stars coaching crew. In fact when I was in pains and tears, God just sent him to me. Based on my relationship with him, I called him and told him about the incident. He said something that shocked me. He said I should come back home and join the technical crew of Lobi. Then Enyimba were still paying me so I said I cannot leave like that. He said no problem. Then when they stopped my salary, I told him and he repeated the same thing. He said I should come back home.

Now you have transited from being a player to a coach in one of the leading NPL clubs. How did you make it?

When I joined Lobi, Iorfa sent me to the National Institute for Sports, NIS, in Lagos for me to become a qualified coach. I went and I am now a certified coach. He paid all my bills over there. He ensured I did not lack anything. He made life so easy for me since the unfortunate incident. He is just a God sent. As an assistant coach, I am using my wealth of experience to guide the younger ones especially the defenders.

Do you at any point feel you should be out there playing instead of sitting on the bench as a coach?

Yes, I do feel like getting involved especially when the team is not playing well. Sometimes when my defenders make mistakes, I feel I would have done better. Although I was not perfect in my playing days, I know I was a good defender. Most times, I flash back to my playing days.

What advice do you have present day football players?

My advice for the upcoming players is for them to embrace discipline and true professionalism. Most of them lack discipline. They are not ready to learn. Secondly, they must learn to save for the rainy day. Most players squander their earnings as if there is no tomorrow. They should know that there is life after football. Life after football is more difficult than most of them would think.

Did you save for the rainy day?

Yes, I did and that is why I can say I am relatively comfortable. I have a decent roof over my head. I am happily married with two daughters. My family is not going cap in hand so I can say I did not fare badly.