I thought I would become a footballer– Yomi Fabiyi

Nollywood actor, Yomi Fabiyi, goes down memory lane about his love for football and why he thinks Ademola Lookman would win the CAF Player of The Year Award in this interview with ABIODUN ADEWALE

Growing up in Nigeria, which sports did you enjoy playing or watching, and did you have a favourite team or athlete?

The sports I love are football and boxing. While I was growing up, my favourite football teams were the Super Eagles, Ajax Amsterdam, Real Madrid and Chelsea.

Did you ever consider pursuing a career in sports, or was acting always your primary passion?

As a matter of fact, I used to think I would become a footballer because while I was growing up. At a tender age, I was already following footballers, training and playing for my school football team as well. I went to some notable names who were in the National Orthopedic Hospital, where we used to train. I used to follow Olu Aroya and Okoi James Amado. Amando played for Abiola Babes then and he was mentoring me then. I was also doing entertainment on the side. I was doing MC, wearing a mascot and God gave me this chance. Maybe I would have done well in football because I know I can play football very well and maybe in academics too.

Have you ever been involved in any sports-related initiatives, charity matches, or events? What was it like from organising to executing?

I have been involved in a series of charity and friendly matches to celebrate someone who is doing well in the movie industry and other fields. I would still love to be involved in many as long as the skills are still there but the strength might be missing.

Which Nigerian sports teams do you support, and how do you keep up with their performances?
Supporting the Super Eagles is a default fandom. The patriotism and affection will always be there. In the local league, I would love to continue to support any team from Abeokuta or Lagos State. I don’t think Abiola Babes still exists and it’s not easy for me to follow up with the local league, but I hope they can get to the level where everyone would be proud of them.

Internationally, which sports teams or leagues do you follow, and what draws you to them?
I support Chelsea and Real Madrid. If I’m free and want to watch football, I watch the Premier League and La Liga and those are the teams I love to watch.

Due to your busy schedule, how do you typically watch or stay updated on sports – through TV, online streaming, social media, or attending live events?

I keep myself updated mostly on social media. If I don’t come across them randomly, I go to the official handles of the clubs to see updates or even use Google. Then for highlights I also go to YouTube.

Have you ever attended a live sports event, either in Nigeria or abroad? What was the experience like?

I attended a live football match at the National Stadium in Surulere a long time ago and another one abroad. It’s been a long time and I want to renew that experience. Now that you have asked me, I want to see another live match because it’s a different kind of feeling. The atmosphere is usually huge.

Do you have a favourite athlete, past or present, who inspires you, and why?

I have a crazy admiration for Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo because of their talent and work rate. They combine the two well and make them distinct. In boxing, I love anything, Mike Tyson.

If you could collaborate with any sports brand, team, or athlete on a project, who would it be, and what would the project entail?

In terms of collaboration, it’s always good to aim for the moon, so if you don’t reach the moon, you fall among the stars. I have lovely and important people in that field that I would love to work with and there are so many brands that I love to collaborate with and that will be happening very soon. I am working on a new phase in my career as an actor and I’m building on giving back to the community through my human rights advocacy.

Ademola Lookman is the favourite to win this year’s CAF Player of The Year Award. How do you see his chances against Simon Adingra, Ashraf Hakimi, Serhou Guirassy and Ronwen Williams?

Ademola Lookman is a pride for Africa this time and when you see his contributions to the national team and for his club, they should give him an edge. For someone to score a hat-trick in a European tournament final, that alone gives him an extraordinary chance. He deserves the accolades as the African Footballer of The Year. Others also deserve it but Lookman has an edge not because he is Nigerian but his football resonates as a standard that every other person all over Africa will love.