Warsaw, Poland – Just fourteen months ago, midfielder Maxi Oyedele dey feel the weight of disappointment when e go on loan to Forest Green, wey dem sabi say go down relegation from League Two. Fast forward to today, e don bounce back come prepare to face Chelsea for UEFA Conference League quarter-finals, a journey wey don take am from low to high.
As any young player wey join Manchester United, di aim be say make dem gain experience for lower-league teams. But sometimes, setbacks fit teach you more than success. Oyedele returns to United after four substitute appearances, but e talk say di experience help am grow. “I value di time at Forest Green. E no go the way I plan, but I learn from di challenges,” Oyedele talk, reflecting on his tough time at di club.
Oyedele, who grow for Salford and join United since age six, make dey move to Legia Warsaw because of his Polish mother and Nigerian father. “I regularly visited Poland as a child. E fit sound strange, but dis is home for me,” Oyedele share. Di move from Manchester to Poland no be small step, but di opportunity to play for a top club in Europe no dey easy to pass. “Legia was di biggest opportunity. I no even realize how big am until later,” e add.
After di deal complete in August, Oyedele quickly impress, making his full debut and winning two caps for di Polish national team. “I always felt say I go fit enjoy life abroad. My time in academy football was ok, but I know say I fit do more,” e explain, full of hope as e dey prepare to clash with Chelsea, one of di biggest clubs in Europe.
Legia Warsaw dey fan-ready for di match, and Oyedele no hide his thoughts about di fans. “Di atmosphere dey crazy. I look around and I dey think: ‘Wow. It’s unbelievable. I can’t wait to play in front of these fans,’” e share. As dem gear up to face Chelsea, wey dey favorite to win di encounter, Oyedele dey optimistic. Dem have beaten Real Betis to reach dis stage, and he dey ready for di challenge ahead.
“When I joined, I dey watch di team, and I vision myself playing Chelsea. Dis na our moment,” Oyedele talk with enthusiasm. As di match dey approach, di excitement don dey build for di club and di fans alike. E believe say di underdogs fit surprise dem again.
As Oyedele prepare to face a top club like Chelsea, e get motivation to shine. “Every player dream for dis kind opportunity. We fit do am,” e conclude, ready to chase glory in di heart of Europe.
