We take you to meet Folarin Temitope who is a tantalizing midfielder for Crown FC of Ogbomoso. He once said “no” to a potential signing while on trials with “Lierse Sk in Belgium.
The exciting midfielder combines panache with a little touch of brawn. He starred for the Ajilete Warriors in the just ended NNL 2023/2024 season.
The Lagos born midfield marshal appeared in every single minute of Crown’s twenty matches thereby etching his name into the history books of the league.
Temitope is not just your regular football player, the midfielder combines his career with his Christian faith, a practice which earned him the “Pastor” amongst his teammates.
In this interview with our corespondent, Temitope took us through his football roots while shedding light on some obscurities about his growing up, missed opportunities and aspirations.
Can You Please Introduce Yourself?
I am Folarin Temitope Tolani, a Central Midfielder. I played for Crown Fc of Ogbomoso in the just-concluded NNL season.
Tell Us Briefly About Your Football Background, How It All Started
I’ve been playing football for as far as I can remember. I remember my mom telling me that my first words were “goal!”. Someone used to come to pick while I was still a baby to watch football and was told I never cried like other children of my age. When I started walking, I kicked everything I saw, screaming goal! I guess that’s where it all started.
What Has Been Your Biggest Motivation?
I have a desire to impact the world of football positively. I have a passion to see footballers become interested in life and take the lead in a purposeful existence outside football by using their influence to impact the public.
We’ve seen talented players go to waste because of bad character, laziness and all sort of things and I believe this is because the majority are not interested in personal development and growth.
So, I am working hard, investing in myself, while praying to reach the top, because, only by so doing can my voice become an influence.
At What Point Did You Say To Yourself That This Career Is Actually Your Calling?
All my life, I have never dreamt of being something else apart from becoming a professional footballer. After my elementary education, I gave myself wholly to the dream.
A few years back, I was selected to join JMG Football Academy in Mali. So, I left everything behind, that included my education and other necessities.
Tell Us Your Fondest And Worst Memories So Far
My fondest memory? I’d say it was a few years after elementary school when I got selected to join the Academy. I could remember when we were about traveling to Mali, some guys cried because they had to leave their families but in contrast, I was so happy (smiles). As in, I was presented with a massive opportunity to become actualize my dreams. My parents wouldn’t stop me from playing and I was being freed from the need to ask permission every time I needed to go playing football. What else could I have asked for as an aspirant? (Smiles).
My worst memory was in 2014 when I travelled to Belgium with the Academy for 3months. We were with other players from different branches of the Academy where we had a rare opportunity to sign for LIERSE SK. I performed very badly for different reasons, but mainly because I was diffident and had a lot of doubts about my ability. I faired so badly that I replied “no” when it was thrown to me if I deserved a to be contracted by the club going by my performances.
However, that happened to be a defining moment in my life and career because after that experience, I took my career in my own hands and gradually crawled out of the low self-esteem I suffered prior to that unpalatable occurrence.
Which Player Inspires You?
I watch a lot of players, but the ones I look up to are Toni Kroos and Kevin De Bruyne. I love Toni Kroos’ simplicity and how he makes very complicated stuffs look so easy. He is a beast at controlling the pace of the game and his decision-making is out of this world which is a trait I admire a lot.
De Bruyne by all standards is an exceptional player whose numbers are simply amazing. The amount of assists he provide is unbelievable. Also, how he picks players out and make those difficult passes that other players might see but not dare to do is a work of art.
Your Dream Club?
I’m a Madrid fan but one day, I’d love to play in an FC Barcelona side. Absurd? That’s because I love their style of play and I’ve never stopped seeing myself in a well drilled and efficient side. I also love the way football is played in Spain generally.
If You Hadn’t Been A Footballer?
Like I said earlier, I have never thought of being anything else apart from a footballer. I could probably have considered teaching as it’s my penchant to impart knowledge into others.
What Are Your Targets As Per The National Team?
It’s my desire to one day play in the National Team of Nigeria. It’ll be such an honour to represent my fatherland.
Who Has Been Your Biggest Career Influence?
Wow! I don’t know if I’ll be answering your question, but an incident happened when I was going for the JMG trials with my mom.
She used to be the one to take me to the venue as other kids from across the nation were converged in Lagos for the final exercise. The academy had gone to different parts of the country to select players and we were about 50 that made it to the finale.
Every morning, on our way to the place, she’d hold my hands and say this prayer, “Dear Lord, as we are going, if this is what You want for him, if they are selecting only one person, let it be him. If it’s not what You want for him, even if they want to pick everyone, let them drop him.”
Out of about 50 players, 4 were selected and I was privileged to be one of them.
That special trick has stuck with me and till today, it has remained one of the greatest career influence for me. It fuels my passion when everything looks bleak.
Folarin Temitope signed a one year deal with Crown FC last summer. He’ll become a free agent in the next month and clubs such as Shooting Stars SC and Kwara United amongst other have inquired about his availability.
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