By Idris Busari
In this interview with UCJ UI correspondent, Adekanye Yemi Joseph (Yemjoe), speaks on his glowing football career.
May we know you??
I’m Adekanye Yemi Joseph a.k.a Yemjoe from the Faculty of Education, department of Educational management.
Your name is a household one as regards football in the University of Ibadan. But who is Adekanye Yemi (Yemjoe) to you?
Smiles
Adekanye Yemi is a male footballer in the University of Ibadan. He plays for the school team, faculty team and for his department. He plays at his best whenever he is being called upon.
Briefly tell us how your football career began.
Hmmmmm, Well…. My footballer career started right from my primary school days, through secondary school days, through my N.C.E days too and now in the University of Ibadan. If they asked what I want to become in Secondary school days, I will say “I want to become a footballer” that is what makes me to be in Arts department then.
When you are on the pitch, the crowd watches. They chant your name. What do you think you do differently?
Well…. I think I do the best on the pitch which is a privilege for me.
Football as it is said is a game of unpredictability; you win or lose. What keeps you going when you win or lose a game?
I always have the two variables at the back of my mind anytime I have a match, which I won’t be surprised with either, but I always focus about what is ahead of me.
What is your best moment in football?
My best moment is when we traveled to Ghana for bilateral games which football was included.
To stay relevant as you have in football is no fluke. You must have devoted a lot of time to hone your craft despite being a student. How do you cope with academic tasks?
Hmmmm. Though it is not easy combining the two. I don’t joke with academics which is my primary assignment, nevertheless, it’s by the grace of God.
You lost the UISU Inter hall football competition finals. You certainly must have felt bad. What did you think contributed to your defeat?
It was a big lost for me because it was the only trophy I haven’t collected in this citadel of learning. To our defeat, firstly, the first error committed by our keeper. Secondly, their midfielders are more technical than ours. I play with those boys in school team and I know what they are up to.
What are the awards playing football has given you?
I have collected MVP three times before entering this academics environment, in this citadel of learning, I collected another MVP in the last Edition of Faculty of Education Dean’s cup, then I collected another MVP in the just concluded SU Inter hall football competition.
What football club do you support?
I’m a die-hard Manchester united fan
Who’s your favourite player?
Ronaldo and Casemiro
You’ll agree with me that grassroot development in sports, especially football is nothing to write home about. What do you suggest the government implement to change the narrative?
Yes, it actually true. The government should create many football academies and also business owners should venture into sports as well, as it is does in oversees. By doing this, it will help those in grassroots to develop their talent.
What’s your parting word?
My words go to we footballers. We should put our best whenever we are called upon, nobody knows who is watching outside. And also, character also matters most not by playing alone, behave well and leave the rest for God.
