Holland based Omotola Omidiji is one of the players expected to represent Nigeria in next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Excelsior Barendrecht player spoke to SHOT! about her career aspirations, educational pursuit and brother Lateef who is tipped by analysts to become a football superstar.
Tell us more about yourself and how you got involved with football?
My name is Sophia Omotola Omidiji and I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. My dad’s Nigerian who was born and raised in Lagos and my mom’s American. I currently play for Excelsior Barendrecht in the Netherlands and I’m also a college student pursuing my bachelors degree in business administration with an eye on law when I do my masters. Like my grandmother has always said “a market woman who sells ewedu and invests all of her money in ewedu isn’t much of a merchant. You have to give yourself options in life and education will give you options in life.” I love football, but my education is priority. I got involved in football in Las Veges at the age of 5. We all know when you’re Nigerian there’s no two sports football is our only sport.
Do you think Nigeria has what it takes to win the 2019 Women World Cup?
We have an amazing squad of talented players that are as hungry as I am to bring the trophy home to the deserving masses of Nigeria. We have the support of the football loving masses and with the right coach and support of our administrators, I think we can shock the world. We have been dominant in Africa for decades, actually more decorated than the men in Africa and I believe we are primed to make some noise. I repeat we have squad filled with some of the best talent you’ll find anywhere in the world, with the proper support which I believe we will get, we can shock the world. No one expected the Dutch women to win Euros but today they are crowned champions beating out all the favorites from Germany to England to Sweden.
Your brother Lateef is touted as a potential star, what makes him special?
What makes Lateef jr special- quite a bit. His technique is second to none, he is super-fast- clocks 11.11 in 100 m at 14 and fast with the ball and he’s strong as well and can handle the physical demands of the game. Those are some of the reasons that club directors across Europe are after him but the dedication he has to improving and I know this because I get to see how hard he works every day is another reason clubs cross Europe are gushing after him. In my views, he is the best U14 player in the world. Did I mention his versatility? He can play right wing, left wing, #10 and his preferred position of #9 and can also ply s a false #9 right behind the striker. There are few kids his age that will watch a game, see what a player does and spends the entire week trying to nab that skill for himself. He will watch a game sometimes as annoying as it is and analyze the off the ball movement of specific players and learn from it. Just pure dedication to being the best and has been consistent here in the Netherlands- his potential.
Do you eventually see him wearing the green and white jersey over USA colours?
The determination and forward thinking our current administrators have shown in making contact tells me he’s going to represent Nigeria. The NFF have shown interest whether it’s the heart warming messages from players on the National team to administrators on his birthday to calls from senior players and Legends who call and message him often to see how he’s doing and offer tips, advice and encouragement. He feels the love that’s for sure. US soccer have done a lot as well to show interest from invitations to camps and a push by some in US soccer but “ajo o le dabi ie” is the motto. I think 2019 U17 World Cup, he’ll either be with US soccer or with Nigeria U17s either way he will be there and be dominant. If you’ve ever spoken to him you’ll know he loves our country like we all do so we’ll see what the future holds.
How do you rate the current U-20 national team compared to the one you were part of?
I was a part of the U20s in 2015 and the current team I think will not only qualify but will equal or best our best showing at this tournament in Canada when we made the finals. They are playing with so much confidence, led by a good coach and has the full support of Ms Ruth David and Mrs Aisha Falode along with the NFF- I’m looking forward to watching them in France this year- I plan on being there to watch and support the team in France as it’s right next door to me.
Has your opinion of Nigerian football changed since you accepted to represent the country?
Absolutely not, love my fatherland, love Nigerian football- of course disappointing not to feature at the U20 world cup but hey- man proposes God disposes. I know a lot of people in Nigeria are rooting for me and I intend to continue to make them proud. I want to give back to my nation- it has given me so much. I see the passion of the Nigerian public and the love most Nigerians have for football- our Super Eagles easily qualified from the so called group of death, U17 women would be at the World Cup, U20 women will be there too and so will the Falcons by God’s grace. 2018 and 2019 I believe will be an amazing year of glory for Nigerian football.
What areas do you want to see improvement in the country’s women’s football?
Like with everything, every league, every country there is always room for improvement. Welfare of the local players I think is an area we can improve. Ms Ruth David I know is working hard at that from emphasis on education to general welfare of the girls, medical coverage, wages, general support from the girls from those who prey on young girls and that is everywhere, in every country. I myself plan over this year to get involved in some capacity in starting dialogue on how we can improve the welfare of girls that play football in Nigeria and put dialogue into action.
Where do you see your career in the next 5 years?
Yoruba people say that the say a baby stands up for the first time is not the same day he or she walks. Good things take time so my dream would be to play at a world-cup and hopefully in 5 years by the grace of God would have played in and won a world-cup, professionally my dream is to continue to develop, improve every area of my game and play and win champions league with Nigerian flag flying high with me- those are the goals. I am also a college student and in 5 years, would have graduated with my bachelors and be working on my Masters. Those are my goals and may God help me see my plans through.
Who are your role models in the game?
Growing up in the states- Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach and watching Martha from Brazil inspires me, love her ability to change the game, she’s not a tall player, just very technical and fast and I fashion my game after hers. Marta is incredible! Plays with confidence knowing that I am better than you and I’ll show you. On the men’s side I enjoy watching old players like Roberto Baggio, Brazil’s Ronaldo, Zidane and I’m a huge messi and Ronaldo fan- have no favorites among the two and love zlatan’s confidence so a lot of players inspire me.
What’s your view of Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie and Francesca Ordega?
Amazing players- Asisat of course the best player in Africa and one of the best in the world and we are lucky in Nigeria to call her our own, Desiree- one of the best attackers in the game- been consistent for a long time, Ordega- incredible player- fast, strong, very confident on the ball and one of the best in the game as well- let’s not forget Onome Ebi who is one of the best defensive midfielders in the game and has been the stall worth of our defense for a long time. We have an amazing talent pool in Nigeria and I think with the right support, the sky won’t be the limit.
