The 2022-23 Nigeria Premier Football League resumed with Bendel Insurance defeating Akwa United 2-0 in a breathtaking tie at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
The win was Insurance’s first in the top flight for almost four years and their first away win since 2005.
Though they were a lot of good performers for the Benin-based club during the match, it was 22-year-old striker Osarenkhoe Wisdom Imade that got the fans talking after bagging his side’s first goal and the first of the new NPFL season in style, slotting into an empty net in the 39th minute.
Born on November 19, 2003, in Benin City, to the Okungbowa family meaning “God knows your heart,” started playing football at the young age of 8, mostly in an elementary school field right opposite their house.
During the week, Afrosport sat down with the young striker to talk about the historic goal, his club, his aspirations, and his story so far.
A: First of all, congratulations on the goal. Can you kindly talk to us about you as a person?
O.I.: “Thank you so much. I never planned for the goal really, it just happened. Well, my name is Osarenkhoe Imade, a footballer for Bendel Insurance, a graduate of petroleum engineering from the University of Benin. I am more of an introvert than an extrovert, I would like to believe.”
A: You said you are a petroleum engineering graduate, that’s a lot, how did you deal with that and football?
O.I.: “Truthfully, it was a herculean task at first, but myself and my dad came to an agreement. He said if I knew I wanted to go pro, I must finish my studies and also finish well, and I did just that. I knew when to be the footballer and when to be the bookworm. I was quite good at it. I finished university with a second-class upper qualification.”
A: That’s very impressive. Kindly talk us through your journey to becoming a professional.
O.I.: “I started playing football at the age of 8, just like any other child, in the field of the elementary school opposite my house, but I knew I could go pro after starring for my university in the higher institution football league (HIFL) in 2018. Bendel Insurance scouted me after I performed well at the HIFL in November of the same year, then I officially joined them two months later, in January 2019.”
A: So back to the present, did you know you would be on the scoresheet in the game?
O.I.: “In all honesty, I never really thought of it that much as I was actually indifferent about it, but the night before the game, my mind was playing tricks on me and I was thinking about how I could make history if I got the first goal, but I chalked it off as I was more concerned with us getting the win.”
A: In the game, you and your strike partner, Ismael Sarki, got the goals. Is there a banter between you guys about who will finish with the most goals?
O.I.: “Well, I don’t think any of us really think about that. The whole team has one goal—to keep the team in the league at the end of the season—and we are working towards doing that. If one of us finishes ahead of the other, then it is all good.” *He laughed*
A: Can you name two players, one African and one non-African, who you model your game after.
O.I.: “That’s a very easy one. Everyone who knows me knows I love Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen. He is my inspiration; I love everything about him: the way he plays, his goals, his attitude, his off-field antics, everything. Every time I’m down, I watch his videos, and I pick myself back up. My social media is filled with him. The non-African is Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski. He’s the best striker in the world for me; his technique is superb and second to none.”
A: Those are brilliant choices. Which non-footballer would you say is your biggest mentor?
O.I.: “My dad. He is my backbone. He bought me my first football boots at the age of 10, he keeps me grounded, and I am always free to talk to him. While I was at Uniben, he never missed any of my games. He was present when I won my first individual award as the highest goal scorer in the FA Cup. I hope I can repay him.”
A: On a lighter note, we heard your nickname is “black bullet”. How did that happen?
O.I.: *He laughed* “It is funny because I have had it since my university days. I used to play in inter-hall games, and I scored every time I shot the ball and from any angle. So, fans always urged me to shoot and they started calling me that, and the name stuck. I actually like it.”
A: Apart from Bendel Insurance, obviously, what other team do you support?
O.I.: “I am an Arsenal fan. I bleed red, and I love the Gunners. I am happy we are doing well this season, and I pray it continues so.”
A: What are your goals for the season and where do you see yourself in the near future?
O.I.: “Like I said earlier, we are trying to keep the team in the top flight. So, my goal for this season is to ensure Bendel Insurance stays in the NPFL. I would also like to get goals due to my position, but if I have to pick one, then it’s the former. In the near future, I hope I am still playing football, doing what I love. I pray I don’t pick up any career-ending injuries, and I also wish to have improved enough to secure a move to the Premier League because that’s where I want to play.”
A: What is your best moment as a professional so far?
O.I.: “For my best moment, I think I have two: when we gained promotion by becoming the top team in the Nigeria National League Super 4 tournament, it was actually on my birthday… Then the second would be last Sunday, when I scored the first goal of the new season.”
A: Likewise, what is your worst moment as a professional so far?
O.I.: “This is just one, and it still lingers in my mind. In 2019, we needed a draw to avoid relegation, and we were away to Rivers United. I missed a big chance for my team, I opted to dribble instead of shooting the ball. Immediately, Rivers got a penalty on the other end, and they defeated us 1-0, and we were relegated. I cried all night. It was a very regretful moment for me.”
A: What advice do you have for young aspiring professionals or even your pairs?
O.I.: “I am still young myself, and I don’t know if I can give much advice, but all I will say is to always believe in yourself; don’t beat yourself up because you failed today; tomorrow is a new day. Pray to God, work harder than others, stay true to who you are, and always try to improve your craft.”
A: Thank you very much for your time and we wish you the best for the rest of the season.
O.I.: “You are welcome, thank you very much for the session.”
