How I became Man United fan after Old Trafford visit

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In this interview with ABIODUN ADEWALE, Nigeria’s ‘Juju Rock Master’, Michael Adedayo, popularly known as Micho Ade, shares his knowledge about Nigerian football and his experience at Old Trafford

While growing up, did you ever get involved in sports before starting a music career?

I played football and also represented my primary school, St. SILAS Primary School, Ikere-Ekiti in athletics. Those days there were lots of school competitions and it was such a privilege to be part of it because you must be really good to make the teams.

Between athletics and football, which were you better at?

I think I was better at football; it’s just that I couldn’t continue due to my passion for music. We played a lot of inter-school football matches and I was a prominent member of my school team. One of those matches was usually against St. Luke’s. I remember a time we defeated them in one of those games and we jubilated around the town. There was also St. Joseph’s Primary School, we were fond of one another when it came to football competitions.

Did anyone call your attention to pursuing a football career?

Things were different then. Nobody saw football as a career. Even while playing football on the streets, our parents would always come to chase us with a cane. Moreover, growing up in Ikere-Ekiti didn’t allow people like us to really see the popular footballers of those times for who they were. So, there was no way their personality could also inspire us, and there was no way our parents could see the fortunes football brought them. For me, it also extended into music. People didn’t really see music as a career that could make one prominent.

At what point did you begin to focus on music?

I’ve always been doing music alongside sports. I was in the choir in church and was also part of the school band. At a point too, I discovered that I was an instrumental figure within the church choir and the school band. So, from that point, I just knew I had to make progress with music.

So, do you still unwind with football when you are not writing songs or performing?

Sure, I watch football, especially when there is a tournament and the fascinating thing for me is the discussion that comes with it.

What’s your favourite football club?

I’m a thoroughbred Nigerian so my love for our national teams and local football clubs is unwavering, from the Super Eagles to the Super Falcons and all other age-grade teams of Nigeria. As an Ekiti man, I also love our local club Ekiti United, although it is not as prominent as other clubs in Nigeria. I also live in Ibadan so I love Shooting Stars as well. I also watch foreign football and what attracted me to them was that I watched Manchester United live at Old Trafford sometime in 2006. Since then, I have been a fan of Manchester United.

How was your experience at Old Trafford?

It was great although I can’t remember the particular game but some of the things I saw inside and outside the stadium remain very memorable. From the point of getting tickets, it was so organised. No one was impeding the other and when the match was ongoing, the atmosphere was different. The similarity I saw there was that they also become violent when they suffer a defeat. I remember that traffic was also diverted so there was free movement of fans who wanted to watch football and those who would be driving.

Have you ever watched a live football match in Nigeria?

Yes, I’ve been to the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan to watch a Shooting Stars match against Iwuanyanwu National, but it’s been very long.  I must say too that they love football in Ibadan. You will always feel their passion.

How do you feel about how unpopular Ekiti United is compared to other teams in Nigeria?

Truly, anytime I have discussions with people who are my fans within the club, I used to tell them that in Ibadan, I get to hear the names of many other teams in Nigeria. That is because they play in a higher league than Ekiti United. So, I always say that our club in Ekiti State too should be able to rise to the level of these clubs. I believe they are limited by some factors but that is not to take away the potential of the team, hopefully, they will become as popular as other clubs in the southwest and even Nigeria.

How do you see the growth of Nigerian football locally, compared to the music industry?

From my point of view, the growth of the music industry is down to the success of most individuals who have one thing or the other to do with the music and entertainment industry. In Nigeria, we have a lot of successful musicians and entertainers and their fame has brought international attention to Nigeria. This is unlike our football, especially those in the local leagues here because there is a level of government support that they are expecting which I think won’t be enough, compared to what we see in other countries. In places like England, football is a major source of government revenue, but we have not got to that level in Nigerian football.

Finally, what projects are you currently working on?

A lot of people thought I left music for a while but there has never been a time that I have left music. I have like 32 or 33 albums and by the grace of God; I have some tracks that will be out before Christmas. The industry has changed, so these tracks will also be on streaming platforms including some of my old songs.

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