Esther Adesoji, the rising star of Nasarawa Amazons, recently shared her profound experience playing against the legendary Super Falcons Defender Onome Ebi.
For her, facing Ebi was nothing short of a dream come true. This memorable encounter unfolded during their remarkable 3-1 victory against Naija Ratels in the NWFL season opener.
The 16-year-old defender, who switched from FC Robo to Nasarawa Amazons in the last summer transfer, shared this exclusive insight with FootballRover during a Thursday evening interview.
According to the 2022 Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament Winner, who expressed her admiration for Onome Ebi over her style of play and the passion she has for the game, stepping onto the pitch alongside the revered 40-year-old Super Falcons’ star was an ambition fulfilled.
The young defender from Ondo State, Adesoji, reflected on her debut with Nasarawa Amazons and her aspirations for the team’s performance this season.
She also revealed her aspirations to join a prestigious club abroad, marking a significant step in her promising career.
Don’t miss the chance to delve deeper into the remarkable journey of this rising football sensation in our exclusive interview below.
Congratulations on your debut! How did it feel to finally step onto the field wearing the colours of your new club?
Thank you! It was a good start for me to be in the starting XI of the first game.
What were your thoughts and emotions as you stepped onto the pitch?
At first, I felt the game would be a very tough game because it has always been a tough game between Naija Ratels and Amazons since Ratels gained promotion to the NWFL, but luckily for us, God made it easy.
Even though I thought it would be a tough game, I still had it in mind that we’d get 3 points, and God made it possible for us.
Did the match meet your expectations, or did anything surprise you about the game or your team’s performance?
I wasn’t really surprised, though, because football is all about winning, losing, or drawing. Before we left Lafia, I already had it in mind that we’d be coming home with 3 points.
I never thought of sharing points, so when we got the 3 points, I wasn’t really surprised because it’s already what I thought and prayed for. If anything should surprise me in the game, it would be the scoreline [laughs].
Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. #Aremo #HappyEaster #Mondaythoughts pic.twitter.com/TJSpKUfoC8
— Esther Adesoji (@EstherAdesoji) April 10, 2023
As a newcomer, how are you settling in with your new teammates and adjusting to the club’s playing style?
When you’re in Rome, you behave like a Roman. Well, most of us knew ourselves, so it made it easier for me to relate to and interact with everyone. When you’re a coachable player, it’s easy to adjust to whatever playing style any coach wants.
Were there any challenges you faced during the match, and how did you overcome them?
Not any yet, but I know I’ll still face either one or two, if not more. Challenges make the story sweeter. [Laughs].
What aspects of your game do you feel you showcased well during your debut?
I think my kicks, tackles, and communication
In what ways do you hope your presence and ability will contribute to the team’s objectives this season?
As long as I keep putting effort into training and games, I’m opportune to play.
How did you feel playing against Super Falcons star Ebi Onome?
It was indeed a dream come true for me because I’ve always wanted to play with or against her, either in a friendly game, on the national team, or wherever, and luckily for me, she came back to the NWFL.
So, I feel good playing against her. Naturally, I like her, and I like her style of play and the passion she has for the game.
So was there an intentional act to humiliate her with such a huge defeat, or were the Amazons just carrying out a simple team task?
Lol, no, oh! We just carried out a simple team task.
A simple task with such a scoreline?
We did show some respect with the three goals; it should have been more than that [laughs].
What personal goals have you set for yourself now that you’ve made your debut, both in the short term and for the rest of the season?
I really want to keep the momentum going; perhaps I will get a national call-up and not just the call-up but to be on the team.
Looking ahead, what are you most excited about as you continue your journey with this new club?
The unity in the team
And what excites you the most about the Nigerian female league?
Hmmm!! I don’t know! To be honest, I don’t know.
Do you dream of playing abroad? And which club is your dream team?
The dream of all football players is to play abroad. Lyon and Chelsea women’s FC. I’ve been supporting Chelsea FC since I was still very young [laughs].
My elder brother made me fall in love with the club, and I’ll keep being a Chelsea fan till eternity. I also have a favourite there (Lauren James).
As for Lyon, France is my dream country, and Lyon has been my favourite female club in France. Lyon is a good side with histories, and I also want to be part of their histories someday, inshallah!
NWFL Premiership Match Day!
Winning is the target ????.#Aremo #NWFLPremiership23 #winning pic.twitter.com/LT0FwiRes3— Esther Adesoji (@EstherAdesoji) March 29, 2023
How do you cope with advances from male fans? Any from the same sex, and how do you handle them as well?
[Laughs] I don’t really relate to fans. Maybe because I barely smile. I don’t really know.
How do you relax after training or matches, and what made you choose football as a career?
How do I relax after training? Isn’t it just to wash down, eat, and sleep? [Laughs]… Or is there any other way? Let me know, please; maybe I can add to mine [laughs].
My passion for the game made me choose football as a career, and seeing people doing extremely well motivated me as well, so I’ve joined the queue. What’s left now is to succeed too.
Where do you see your new team finishing this season?
Oh my God!, CAF continental spot, no doubt, and I believe that through hard work, determination, teamwork, and unity, we’ll achieve our aims.
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