“I was born in the ghetto. AJ! Ajegunle! I was born in Ajegunle” Odion Ighalo reiterated proudly.
“It was difficult to live, difficult to eat and that is why I thank God when I look where I am now, we didn’t always have what we wanted or needed, we had to struggle,” he told The Guardian.
It was early morning somewhere in the ghetto of Ajegunle, Lagos state, the center of commerce in Nigeria – West Africa.
The sunrise came quickly on that fateful day, the weather was already blowing hot. Madam Ighalo carried her wares and rushed to hawk ‘pure water’ so that her son, Jude can play football.
“So, my mum, with her small shop where she sold sachet water and soft drinks, she’ll save some money to buy shoes for me, give me transport money to go play with my team or play friendly games,” Odion Ighalo said.
Madam Ighalo shrugged off hunger, forgot to eat and rushed down home to ensure she made some money which her son Jude can use to travel locally to a football pitch within the neighourhood where he trains with other football players.
Despite the poverty surrounding his circumstances, the young and aspiring player determined to make it in his chosen career. He played sometimes on an empty stomach.
“You know that some parents don’t have the money to eat not to talk of paying for shoes or transport to go for games and all that.
“She’ll even give me money to buy water after training to drink, try to pay some little little things for me. It was great for me because I didn’t have any helper then.”
When Jude Ighalo started on the streets of Lagos, he never anticipated playing in the English Premier League, let alone get the league award. He was determined to play football and make some money to fend for his family and take care of his caring mother.
The talented amateur baller played on the same local pitch called “Maracana” in the Tolu community area of Ajegunle – the pitch where the likes of Emmanuel Amunike and Kanu Nwankwo played as amateurs.
To be continued..
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