India-based ex- Enyimba striker and two-time CAF Champions League winner, Michael Ochei, in this interview with ’TANA AIYEJINA talks about his career and how pastors almost ruined his once promising career

How is life in India?

Things didn’t go well for me in the first club I played for but I could not come back to Nigeria because of the mentality at home. So I decided to stay back and start afresh. I signed for a division three team and God used me to bring them to division two. Now we are contesting for a place in the I-League. The club love me and they even want me to go for a coaching course but I told them that I am too young for that.

We are hopeful of qualifying for the I-League and I am pleased with what God has done for me. He made a way where people thought there was no way.

How did you start football?

I started playing football in Ajegunle and I used to skip school, hide my bag in a bush and run to the field to play football. The passion was burning in me.

How were you able to survive the rough life in Ajegunle?

Well, I come from a broken home but I was lucky because a sister of mine, we call her Aunty Rose, brought me up. I don’t know how she got some little money in those days but we were able to survive through God’s mercy.

So when did your breakthrough come as a footballer?

I can remember vividly playing a friendly game for my local team against the national U-17 team inside Nigerdock where they were camped. The team’s coach then, Musa Abdullahi spotted me and gave me a chance in the team. We later won the African U-17 tournament in Seychelles. That was in 2000. After that, I was called up to join Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland FC of Owerri).

How was life in Iwuanyanwu?

I had a great time there. Coach Alphonsus  Dike made me believe in my ability and that helped me a lot. I was happy playing alongside some of the best players in the league. The fight for places in the first team was very competitive.

What was the feeling like when you first wore the green and white jersey?

It was a great moment. There is nothing like playing for your country. My first game for the Golden Eaglets was in a friendly match against Kenya. It was great because all I was thinking was ‘Mike, God  has given you this chance, so prove your worth.’

After Iwuanyanwu, which club did you move to next?

I signed for Iwuanyanwu with about nine matches to the end of the season. I think I played about six games and one of them was against Enyimba. After the game, they (Enyimba) came for me about a week later.

How were you able to cope with the star-studded Enyimba side?

Then I was a strong fighter and very religious. I could remember that anything I did then on the field turned out to be perfect. Even the so-called senior players normally came to my room after practice to ask me, ‘Boy how did you do that trick in training.’ But I couldn’t give account of it all because honestly I  didn’t know how I did them. But I think God’s grace was seriously upon me then.

How many titles did you win at Enyimba?

I won the domestic league back to back champions in 2003 and 2004 and the CAF Champions League in 2003 and 2004. We were the second club to win the competition on two consecutive occasions.

What was it like winning the champions league for Nigeria for the first time?

What else would you wish for? It was great but then some Nigerian people thought it was an easy feat.

Can you tell us your best game at Enyimba?

It was against Algeria’s USM Alger in the semi-final of the Champions League in 2003. I scored both home and away and we won 3-2 on aggregate. My last minute goal in the second leg took Enyimba to the final.

What went wrong when Enyimba lost to Ismaily 6-1 in their second group match in 2003?

(Laughs) I  think it was due to the bad line-up coach (Kadiri) Ikhana presented. It was a bad line-up. If you check that line-up, about four key players didn’t play that game. But after the game, I guess he (Ikhana) learnt his lessons and corrected them.

Do you think it was right to have sacked Ikhana after winning the Champions League?

I can’t say because there were many complications. You know Enyimba and their mentality; they don’t believe in the coach but what their money can do for them.

So why did you leave Enyimba, a club that had so much money to spend on players?

Honestly, it was my fault but greedy agents and so-called pastors deceived me. An expatriate coach and an evangelist advised me that if I left Enyimba, I would be able to get my clearance papers easily. When things didn’t work out, I became stubborn thinking I was doing the right thing.

You were expected to play for the Super Eagles after your fine form at Enyimba but you fizzled out. What happened?

Yes you are right but it’s okay. That is life for you.  But the players there weren’t better than me, at least I saw them play.

At a point you were linked with Deportivo La Coruna and Hertha Berlin but the deals did not see the light of the day. Where did you move to after you left Enyimba?

I went to Malta but their kind of football didn’t suit me, so I moved to India. I played for Marsaxlokk FC for two seasons in Malta. That was in 2005 and 2006.

So why did you leave Malta for India instead of Europe?

Throughout my stay in Malta, I was on loan and agents were running away from me because of clearance problems. So I came back to Nigeria and signed for Niger Tornadoes. I played for half a season with them without being paid just to get my clearance. Immediately I got the clearance, the deal from India came and Mbwas Mangut and Ugah Opara advised me to come to India.

When did you arrive in India and how is the league there?

I arrived in India in September 2011. There is money in the league but their football is still growing. I signed for Tecno Arian Sport Club and as I said earlier, we are fighting for a place in the I-League and we are almost there?

Have you had any trying times?

Yes. It was when I could not secure my clearance to play for Hertha Berlin in Germany. Enyimba said it was coach Marcelo Houseman who was responsible for my inability to get my clearance; Houseman said it was Enyimba. I was in a fix and didn’t know who to believe or what to do.

Who was the most difficult defender you played against?

I am a very stubborn striker who gives defenders a ride for their money so I can’t remember any defender giving me difficult times (Laughs).

Who is your best strike partner?

It’s David Tyavkase. He is very creative; very comfortable with the ball and has very quality passes. You will score loads of goals if he is your strike partner.

Some clubs labelled you an undisciplined player. Is it true?

I went through a lot in the Nigerian league. They said I am undisciplined. The reason is not far-fetched. If  you don’t pay me, I won’t play. Initially, the media was my best friend back then in Enyimba but when I started fighting for my right, some journalists wrote all sorts of things about me but I am not worried because I believe in destiny.

-Punch