After playing for Holland, I’m ready for Eagles — Owobowale

NEC Nijmegen versatile player, Segun Owobowale, who has represented Holland at youth levels tells ’TANA AIYEJINA in this interview about hi...

NEC Nijmegen versatile player, Segun Owobowale, who has represented Holland at youth levels tells ’TANA AIYEJINA in this interview about his desire to play for Nigeria, his football career and more

Can you introduce yourself to our readers?

Thank you. My name is Oluwasegun Owobowale, I’m half Nigerian and half Dutch. I’m 20 years old and I  live in The Netherlands. I’ve played for ADO Den Haag but I’m now playing for NEC Nijmegen in the Jupiler League, which is under the Eredivisie. I’ve also played for the Dutch national youth squads at U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-18 levels.

You were an unused substitute in NEC’s recent 6-0 defeat of Dordrecht. How is the season so far in the Eredivisie?

The season has been good. We are currently in the first position in the league and we are showing the fans some good football with our style of play.

Do you think NEC can gain promotion to the Eredivisie?

Yes, I think so. If you look at our team, we have the biggest chance to win the league and gain promotion to the Eredivisie again. Team chemistry is good, everyone can find each other on-and-off the pitch. And we have good players and talents like Arnaut Danjuma Adamu Groeneveld, who is also a Nigerian talent, Ferdi Kadioglu, Frank Sturing and others.

How many games have you played so far and are you satisfied with your playing time for Adrie Bogers’ side?

This year I’ve played just one game. And I’m happy with the chances I’ve got because I just came from the under 21s. So, now every chance I get, I have to show the coach and the rest of the staff I can be an important member of the team.

You joined NEC from ADO Den Haag, where you started your career? Can you tell us about your time there?

Yes, I joined ADO Den Haag when I was 13 years old. When I was 16, I signed my first contract with ADO. At the age of 17, I played my first minutes in the Eredvisie against Cambuur. Later that year, I played against PSV with players like Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum. I had a good time at ADO, but I wanted to play more because that’s good when you are young. So, I left ADO and joined NEC Nijmegen. But I learnt a lot at ADO and made a lot of good friends. So, I will always remember that club; sometimes I still visit the club to watch my friends play.

How close are you to Tyronne Ebuehi, who plays for the Super Eagles and ADO?

Yes, Tyronne is a friend of mine. I played with him in the youth teams and in the first team (of ADO). I don’t see him a lot now but we speak with each other through our phones. And I always support him when he’s going to the national team (Eagles).

Growing up, who was your role model?

My first football shirt was that of Rivaldo, my mum bought it for me from a shop. But when I got older it was Robinho. But today it is (Cristiano) Ronaldo, because I like the way he puts everything he can in his dreams to be the best. My Nigerian role model  has always been Obafemi Martins, what a striker he is!  I even tried to do a somersault like him (laughs).

Did you do the somersaults successfully?

No, I always landed on my back. So, I stopped trying them when I scored. I didnt break my back, so that’s a good thing.

Why your preference for Martins amongst Nigerian players?

I prefer Martins because I always watched Inter Milan’s games. And he was scoring everyday, again and again. His first touch is always goal bound. And his celebrations were incredible. I also trained with Kenneth Omeruo in my time at ADO Den Haag.

Playing against the likes of Depay and Wijnaldum must have been memorable. Are you hoping to play in England like them some day?

Yes, that’s my dream, to play in the biggest league, like Mikel (Obi), (Austin) Okocha, (Joseph) Yobo and (Nwankwo) Kanu.

What role did your parents play in your career?

Since day one, they played football with me;my dad is a big fan of mine. They always supported me, brought me to away games, and tournaments out of the country. They were always there for me and they still are. So, I always thank them for what they did for me. I think it’s important that parents always support their kids’ dreams.

You have a Nigerian dad. Is your mum Nigerian too or Dutch?

Yes, my dad is from Nigeria and my mum is Dutch, that’s why I live in Holland right now. It’s the same as Tyronne.

Why did you decide to play for Holland at youth level? Did you get the support of your parents?

I only had one choice because the Nigerian team never called me up for their youth teams. So, I decided to play for the Dutch squad and I played at the big tournaments. Yes, my parents always told me, “you can choose what you want, and Nigeria will come, so it’s your decision.” So, if Nigeria or Holland pops up to ask me where I want to play, I would have to make a hard decision.

So, it was a hard decision picking Holland?

No, it wasn’t then because I had only one choice, but if both national teams will come my way now, then it will be the hardest decision to pick one.

Are you still open to a call-up to Nigeria?

Yes of course! I will be honoured to play for the Super Eagles.

Tyronne has been part of the Eagles set-up. Has he told you about the team?

Yes, he told me that it is a good team with fresh, young players and a good chemistry. And that they are ready for the World Cup!

How often do you follow the Eagles?

I watch every of their game I can, if I can find it on the internet.

How did you feel when they beat Argentina 4-2 with all their superstars?

I was happy for the team, Tyronne and the country because we all needed this win. This was a lesson for all of us. If you want something, you can achieve it.

What’s your impression about the squad especially with players who have dual nationalities like you, like Tyronne, Leon Balogun, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, Troost-Ekong and others?

I think it’s good to have different kind of players in a team. So you get different types of football tactics in a team, so you can play in different ways. And the young players can learn from the older players.

If you get an invitation to the national squad, what can you bring to the team?

I can bring speed, power, technique and dribbles.

You were part of Holland’s U-17 team that lost the final of the Uefa U-17 tournament to England on penalties in 2014. How did it feel getting so close and losing?

I felt so bad because we were so close (to the trophy) as a team. We did not lose one official game that whole year. And then you lose the finals with penalties, then you feel robbed.

As a left-footed player, you can play at left-back, midfield and forward positions. How did you attain the versatility?

I’m fast and strong, that’s why I can operate as a defender or a defensive midfielder, but because I’ve always played as a winger, I can also make defenders have a bad day because I defend and attack. How I knew I could play in so many positions? Honestly, I didn’t know until my trainer said, ‘hey, Segun, just try left-back once.’ And it all worked out well.

How much of Nigeria do you know in terms of the language, food, culture, music and more?

Well, I know a lot of the food, because my father brought the (Nigerian cooking) skill with him (to Holland). For the music I really listen to it every day, Wizkid, Davido, Iyanya and P-Square and much more. The language is one area I can improve on because I only know some basic sentences like ‘how are you doing?’, ‘what do you want to eat.’ And yes, I visited Nigeria before to meet my family and have a taste of the country. That was in 2008, but I’ve got family members all over the world, so every two years, we visit another country to see them all.