Complete Football Edition 9

How did it all begin?

How did it all begin? you got to the US? team in the NSL competition in Miami. I My name is Obinna Johnson Iloka. I was When I came here I didn't really kick a ball for was named the MVP of the tournament born on October 12, 1993 in Lagos Nigeria almost 3months due to the cold, until spring and also got invited to play with them and although I'm from Anambra state. I time when I enrolled in Nottingham High was also named MVP Award and Best relocated to the United States in December School. My older brother, my cousins and I defensive player in the 2016 ( Baltimore of 2008, through the help of my uncle who just went out on the school field just to kick Mayor Cup) state Cup. And that was how is based here in the States. I attended the ball around for the first time. The school's the move to the eagles became God's Gift Nursery/Primary School in football head coach Mike Braender saw us permanent. Ajegunle. Then later moved to Kirikiri town, playing and invited us to try-out for the school What competitions have you played where I completed my primary school at and that was the beginning of my playing in and awards won? Divine Victory Nursery/Primary School. I career here started. I've competed in various tournaments attended Great Trinity Secondary School for So you walked straight into the school such as the high school competitions my first year and then Doctor Lucas team just like that? NJCAA competitions. U.S. Open Cup, Secondary School where I completed my No, I enrolled in the school the following Amateur cup, State Cups, U-23 regional junior secondary school before moving to semester in early January of 2009 where I and national competitions also PHL Unity the United States. So you can see I'm a later registered to try-out for the school team Cup. I've also won various awards in proper AJ boy. and was selected to be a part of the team. these competitions such as -3x Most Did you play for any youth team here For a new guy in a new environment, I held my Valuable Player; Rookie of the year; Best before leaving? own and gave them a performance and Offensive player; 2x Defensive player of I played local football, I practiced with julus showed what I can bring to the team. the year; 1st Team All CVC/2nd Team All begger fc junior team but then later joined In which position are you most State; Senior Best 11 honors; 2x Region Name: Obinna Johnson Iloka Osaro fc when I moved to the kirirkiri town comfortable on the pitch? 19 Champion Nationality: Nigerian and played for them till I moved. Osaro FC I'm most comfortable playing at center back Joining SGFC was a step up for you. Club: SGFC Eagles Maryland, USA are a non-league side which competed in but I was coached to be comfortable in all How did the first season go for you? Position: Defender local competitions. positions as well. That was why I was given Joining SGFC was a major step up for me So do you remember any of your the nickname Mr. Versatile. because i had the chance to compete teammates way back in Berger or So which was your first club in the US? against many different players some with Osaro who are still playing the game My first club in the U.S. is the German professional caps and I can say those now? American kickers (GAK). We competed in the competitions improved my game and Berger team not so much, but my boy Garden State Soccer League. gave me the ability to perform to my best Steven Reymond played with him on osaro So how did the move to the Eagles come in my first year playing with the team. My fc great player, thats about the only one I about? first season was great, I actually started know I played with who's still active on the It was an unexpected move which was made out playing as a striker/attacking game now. Its been awhile, and in the summer of 2016, while I was playing midfielder, scoring major key goals before communication has been diffuclt with my for a local team known as Trenton football they realized I was actually a natural boys from back home, and since I left, club. A first team player with the Eagles came center-back. I made the switch back to most of boys stopped playing football so its out to watch few of my games competing in my natural center-back position, and now difficult to tell who's still active from the various tournaments across the U.S and I can tell you I became a proud player of squad. enjoyed the way I played, so he introduced me SGFC Eagles with 2-time MVP during So how did you get into playing when to the Eagles head coach Richard 'Zico' state tournaments in grand finale. So, Opanuga who invited me to play with the yes, my first season was amazing. COMPLETE FOOTBALL COMPLETE FOOTBALL 97 ILOKA: From AJEGUNLE to AMERICA US-based Obinna Iloka wants to follow in the illustrious footsteps of Taribo West, Emmanuel Amuneke, Odion Ighalo, Victor Agali et al – all famous products of Ajegunle – to stake a claim for Super Eagles shirt... Words: Words: Kayode Kayode OGUNDARE OGUNDARE 8 COMPLETE COMPLETE FOOTBALL 6 7