My exploits in Afghanistan will pave way for more African footballers – Akpo

Footballer Godwin Akpo discusses his unique career path, from growing up in Lagos to make his mark in Afghanistan, his future aspirations and more, in this interview with PETER AKINBO

Where did you grow up and how did you start football?

I grew up in Lagos and I started football from a very young age. I was the best player in my primary school and in my area people looked up to me even in my secondary school but definitely my father is a huge part in my career because he supported me with everything that I needed to become who I am today. He created time to take me to stadiums to watch live matches and registered me in a football academy where I continued to learnt more, even though I already had the talent from a very tender age.

When was your first professional contract?

My first professional contract was in 2016 in Sudan, though I spent just six months with them before coming back to Nigeria, then travelled to Benin to sign with Jeunesse De Sportive D’agonlin in 2017 in the Championnat National du Bénin.

You started at Gombe United in Nigeria, how was your experience there?

I was 23 years old when I signed for Gombe United from Wikki Tourist, my experience with Gombe was good in the sense that during my time there I brought my own experience to the team and made my mark. Most importantly, every team wants to remain in the topflight, so, I helped them to stay in the Premier League.

Your transfer to one of the most unlikeliest of places, Afghanistan, where you play for Attack Energy, raised eyebrows. Why did you chose the country?

I just got a call from a sports journalist, who told me he got my contact from a friend in Iran, who told him how good I was and he wrote a short story about me and the two biggest clubs in the country wanted my services. So, after several discussions with the presidents of both clubs, I made my own investigation and I decided to join Attack Energy because of their ambition.

How was the experience getting used to a new playing environment?

Coming to Afghanistan was never my plan but I was convinced to come because of the their ambition to play in the AFC Asia Cup and besides, I know I could adapt because I understand their language and can speak to a large extent since they and Iran speak the same language. So, it wasn’t really a hard decision to make because they gave me everything I needed to make me feel comfortable.

With the public opinion of life in Afghanistan, what convinced you to make that move?

Having made research about the club I found out that most of the players in the club had played for their national teams, so, having an offer from them, I believe they had the credibility and I entered the country in a legal way to play for a club with a huge fan base. I wasn’t scared of going to Afghanistan because Attack Energy are the biggest club in the country and same was said about me going to Iran. I saw a different picture, how beautiful the country is and how lovely and accommodating the people are. So, I wasn’t scared to make that move. What really convinced me to move to Afghanistan from the Nigeria Premier Football League was because of the goal of the club to compete in the AFC Asia Cup after they won the league because they wanted to become the first team to compete in AFC competitions from Afghanistan and I wanted to make history in helping them achieve that goal.

How is football there compared to Nigeria?

Football is not so competitive there like it is in Nigeria because it’s a small country but they aren’t really small in population because they are over 40 million people but in terms of football you can call them a small country which wants to grow their football.

As a Christian, have you ever been marginalised because of religion?

Not really because most countries I have been too are all Islamic countries and besides football is a language that brings people from different countries, religion and backgrounds together.

The area you live or play, have they ever been affected by the war?

The team I signed for are based in Herat, which is a state in Afghanistan, but all teams travel down to the capital Kabul to play the league. My experience there wasn’t bad.

Have you ever had to defend yourself?

It’s an Islamic country and definitely they have their rules. Once you respect their rules you can’t have issues with anybody and my main purpose was going there for football and nothing else.

How is football possible in these areas where people believe are war-torn?

Like I said football is a universal language which brings people of different ethnic groups or religions together, so, football brings love. The war era in the country is in the past and that is why they want to grow and develop the football in the country. Having been the first African to sign a contract in Afghanistan and with my talent and experience I brought to my team and the league, I know it will definitely pave ways for other African players to go there in the nearest future.

You won the Afghanistan Championship with your team some time ago, how did it feel?

My achievement so far is good in terms of my statistics. I helped my team win the league without any defeat and we didn’t concede a goal. I think that will be a record no team can beat again. It will be a record for a lifetime and I am happy I was part of that wonderful team. I played just seven games and scored seven goals and made three assists. With my contribution to the team, every other club is keen to add African players to their team for next season because they saw my contributions and they feel if they have one or two African players, they could also contest for the league next season.

What attracts you to countries where others are usually scared to play?

The hunger and drive to excel in my professional career is paramount. Football is my life. I love football

Where do you see your talent taking you to in the nearest future?

I know I am going to play at the highest level, hopefully go to Europe or play in a big team in Asia someday and by God’s grace, help my country at the World Cup.

Do you have any dream team in mind?

Yeah my dream team would be to play for Real Madrid or Arsenal, I will say Madrid because it’s the team I love and support. I also said Arsenal because my dad is a die-hard Arsenal fan and he always talks about how he will love to see me play in Arsenal someday, even though he is late now. I will be happy to make his dream come to pass.

You represented Benin at U-23 level. Why?

I believe my talent spoke for me because at that time I was in Wikki Tourists and the season was about to end and we had a very good team. I was doing well in the league, having just returned from Iran then. So, the coach watched my videos and deemed it fit to invite me and besides I played under him when he was the assistant coach in the Benin U-20 team, that was 2018. In all, it’s God that made everything possible.

Having played for Benin U-23 before, do you want to represent Nigeria or Benin at the senior level?

Having coming through the age grades of Benin U-20 and U-23, I feel it is right for me to continue in that line and I wish to get a senior invite soon, so, I can play my part in helping my country qualify for the World Cup thereby making history because they haven’t qualified for the World Cup before. I know that is the dream of every Beninoise fan to watch Benin Republic qualify for their first ever senior World Cup.