Yinka Odunlami, a talented left winger for Nine Planets FC, has shared the rollercoaster journey of his football career, revealing both the highs and heartbreaking lows that have shaped his path.
“I play for Nine Planets FC. I’m a left winger”.
In 2019, Odunlami’s talent earned him a chance to travel to England for a one-week trial with Chelsea, after winning a competition sponsored by Rexona. However, his dream was cut short when he was denied a visa. “The embassy said that, personally, I do not have enough money in my account. If I was not in Nigeria, I would have not been denied a visa for sure. Even if I went to Togo or Ghana. I think I would say Nigeria happened to me.”
Despite the setback, Odunlami continued to pursue his dream. “Obviously I was devastated cos it was my first big opportunity and I was looking forward to it. However, a year later during Covid stuff Neyma selected me. Dangolia was my teammate for Red Bull Neymar Junior 5 that we went to. I got inj¥red again like, a month to go, so I couldn’t, I couldn’t, like, do much.”
Yet, Odunlami’s motivation remains unwavering. “For motivation, for football, and I don’t think they need any motivation. My mentality, this, football is the only thing I know how to do. With the right team, with my beautiful teammates, I know what I can do. I know that I am going to, like, play football, so that’s what gives me the motivation to keep going. But you know, I’ve been through so many up and downs for over six, seven years. But I want to, I want to see what would happen if I don’t keep going.”
Odunlami’s journey highlights the resilience and determination of many young African talents chasing their dreams against all odds, holding onto the hope that their moment to shine will come.
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