Featured

My Dream Is To Play On The Biggest Stages Of Football – Leke James

Published

5 years ago

October 26, 2020

Nigerian professional footballer, Leke James, who plays as a forward for Norway’s Molde FK in this interview with Olawale Ayeni, states that he has what it takes to lead the Super Eagles attack if given the opportunity by the national team handlers amongst other.

How did you start your football career?

I started playing football when I was around 5-6years old in Kaduna State where I was born, then started playing with my childhood team (NITR stars Academy) in the same city.

Later played for Fc Hearts in Ghana, from there I was invited to the Nigeria U-17 team in 2008 where I played the AYC qualifiers against the Benin Republic but didn’t make it to the Tournament.

In 2010, I moved to First bank FC Lagos, there I went for trials with a club in Sweden which later didn’t work out that same year.

In 2011, I signed for Bridge boys Fc Lagos (former Julius Berger FC) then went to try with another club in Norway (Aalesunds Fk) towards the end of that year which was successful where I signed my first professional contract in Europe from January 2012, which is where another chapter of my life started to where I am today and the journey continues.

Tell us about your best and down moment in your career so far?

The best moment in my career was last year (2019) where I won the league with my team (Molde FK) the first in my career so far and also qualify for the group stage of the Europa League competition this year.

And the down moment was when I was hit by a career threatening injury in 2017 where I had surgery and was out of action for almost a year.

Who is your football mentor?

Dalima Ronaldo is my mentor, I grew up watching him, and I love his style of play.

What is your biggest dream you seek to achieve in your career?

My dream is to play on the biggest stages of football before my retirement.

Do you have what it takes to lead the Super Eagles attack?

Yes, I have what it takes to lead the Super Eagles attack if I am called with the trust and confidence of the coach. I have a lot to offer in the Eagles attack and am hopeful that my time will come.

How best can we develop the Nigerian league to meet the international best standards?

We need to put in place the right facilities, also restructuring the clubs, and improved management of the league. I think these are some key points among others that we can do to improve the Nigerian Professional football league (NPFL).

What are your plans after retirement?

The plan is to work in the football sector.

Do you still have the plans of hosting your yearly youth competition this year amidst the coronavirus outbreak?

Unfortunately, the tournament won’t hold this year because of the pandemic. We hope things get better next year. The last edition was impressive because a lot of talents were discovered and we hope to keep it that way in the next edition.

Share on Facebook

Featured

NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

2 weeks ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

Share on Facebook