Lordson Ichull – Westerhof taught me what football is all about

You are currently vying for a shirt in the national U-23 team. How happy are you with this opportunity?I feel great because as a footballer, it is a privilege to be called upon to come and serve your nation. As for me this is my first call so I am very happy and proud. I […]

You are currently vying for a shirt in the national U-23 team. How happy are you with this opportunity?
I feel great because as a footballer, it is a privilege to be called upon to come and serve your nation. As for me this is my first call so I am very happy and proud. I just wish I could just have the time to give my best. I will be happy to play for my country.
Have you learnt anything new?
Yeah I have learnt a lot because in every football coach you meet, you must gain something new or different which might be very interesting and new to you. So I am happy with this opportunity to learn some new things under coach Siasia and other coaches.
Surely you heard of Coach Samson Siasia before now and at the moment you are training under him, is this a pleasant surprise?
 I feel very great because like him, steven keshi and late Thompson Oliha, they were some of the people I heard of when I was growing up. Siasia did advert for Bournvita and I used to wonder if I would meet someone like him. But as the world is a small place, as people say, I have the rare privilege of not only meeting him but working under him. So for me, it is a great privilege to work under such a great Nigerian.
What was your reaction when you got the news of your invitation to camp?
I felt so happy because at a point I was asking myself when my opportunity would come. However, even when I was not invited, I kept praying. I was confident my time will surely come. It has been my dream to play for Nigeria. Now that the opportunity has come, I will grab it with both hands.
Your club Warri Wolves have picked a continental ticket. How happy are you?
We did not start the season strongly but towards the end, we picked up and the results started coming our way. Unfortunately, we got sluggish along the way and missed the league title. You know at a stage, we were among the title contenders. I am very happy that in the end, we qualified to play in the continent. Going by our performance this season, I am confident we would contend for the league title next season.
You kind of struggled to get into the starting line up of Wolves when you joined them. What was the problem?
This is where professionalism comes in. As a player when you are transferred to another club, it takes you a little time to adapt. Most players struggle. They don’t adapt easily. Sometimes some people see them as failures. It happened to a big player like Fernando Torres. He did well for Liverpool but when he joined Chelsea he struggled because of one thing or the other. In my case, I stood strong and I was advised not to worry. So I persevered and it later worked for me. I ended as the second best midfielder in the team.
How did you feel leaving ABS when the club was relegated?
It was so painful because that is the club that has given me much. It is not all about money but moral support. The owner of the club, Senator Bukola Sarki is the brain behind Kwara State Football Academy, where I learnt how to play football. ABS brought me to limelight so it was a painful experience to leave after the club was relegated. I have emotional attachment to the club and that was why even when clubs approached me when the club was battling relegation, I refused to leave. I had to stay and help in the fight against relegation. Unfortunately, we were relegated and I had to move on. But I still monitor what is happening in ABS because part of my life is in Ilorin.
You must be disappointed that ABS failed to return to the premier league?
I was disappointed but I know some day they would come up. They had financial challenges so I think that was one of the reasons they could not come back. I believe ABS will return to NPL next season.
You had your football skills honed at Kwara Football Academy. Looking back, how was it like studying football there under Clemence Westerhof?
Kwara Football Academy touched my life immensely and has given me so much in life. The academy taught me what professionalism is all about. When I started, I knew I could play but when I went to the school, I learnt it is not just about talent but football is business. It is something one can use to touch other peoples’ lives and you can also be a role model. We learnt many things. It was not only about playing football. It was at the academy that I met someone so great. I am talking about Clemence Westerhof. He taught me what football is all about. I met great people like late Thompson Oliha, Sam Elijah, coach Paul and lately Paul Ashword. I really thank God for the opportunity to learn under the tutelage of such great me.
Would you advocate for more football academies in Nigeria?
Yes, because it is very important. That is what makes the difference between Europe and Africa. In Africa we do not have standard football academies. We grow on raw talents but in Europe, they nurture their talents and make them look great as if they are something else. So I wish other states too would emulate kwara State Football Academy or kwara State as a whole to help our country grow in terms of football. Imagine if a country like Nigeria with so many talents has standard academies to nurture the talents, I think even Brazil will be behind us. I know what Nigeria has in terms of talented football players. So other states can do well, if they emulate Kwara State.
What is your best match in the season that just ended?
I think my best performance was the one against Abia Warriors at home. We won 1-0. I did very well in that match.
And what was your worst match?
My worst match was the game against Nembe City. I was like not playing so that was my first match. I came on as a substitute and so my first touch on the ball, I kicked the ground. It was like the confidence the coach had on me dropped more and I felt bad. I was thinking that if I mess up, I may not have another opportunity to play again. I thought they might feel I do not have the mind to play. I was embarrassed and I felt so bad.
Who was your role model when you started your football career?
Micheal Essien was and is my role model. I try to play like him. He has great vision and ability to switch play effortlessly. He is a great player and I wish to be like him one day.
How much support did you receive from your father when you decided to play professional football?
I can say everything a father would try to encourage his son to do, I receive from my dad. He has played the game so he tries to educate me so that I can avoid the mistakes he made. He wants me to be better than him.