By Olusola Hammed
United State based Nigerian footballer Fanendo Adi has stated that it is his desire and wish to come and play and retire in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) when he reacches the peak of his career abroad. Adi atressed that coming back to play in NPFL will help him settle back home after lenghty yeara abroad and plan well for life after football.
Adi who currently plies hia trade in United State of America said he planned to venture into sports management after retiring from active football which he said had prompted decision to go and start a master degree in international sports management at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) having bgged his bachelor degree in computer science.
Adi who says he modelled his game after Arsenal’s French legend, Thiery Henry says he ia one of the best player during hia active days and opined that Portugues super star Christiano Ronaldo is biggest role model in the worls football and admires his tenacity and determination on the field of play.
While reacting to his inability to win caps for Super Eagles of Nigeria, Adi he still dreams of playing for the Super eagles, have beautiful memories of him playing in the national team colours so his children can him in the future. He says he is not happy with his lack of playing time at the moment but says it is not what he can control but it is left for the handlers of the team to select those they think can deliver to them and carry out their tactics on the field of play.
While recounting his experience of moving from AS Trenching to to US Adi says “it was a great and exciting moment for me as a young lad it is a great place to start a career as a young footballer, though it was shocking to some but it has been a successful one as it has paid off well for me”.
Adi however advised the young players of today prepare very for life after football as it is not as rosy as it is used to be while playing aa it has been witness with some ex-intermationals who now find hard to cater for themselves. He advised they have savings, have a better education apart football that sustain them after active football career.
Adi who recently donated foods and household materials worths millions of naira to the Benue State as palliative to the people of his state stressed that building a churchin his village has been his greatest moment while playing football and says it has been his dream from childhood to build a church whereby large amount of people can gather to worship God. He derives so much joy seen people worshipping God in the church and also give him motivation to do more.
The former Copenhagen star says he will allow his children to choose the country of their choice when it is time play international football. He said he can only advise amd guide when neccessary to avoid clash of interest with their clubs.
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