It Wasn't Easy Combining Football With Academics - Seyi Olofinjaana

It Wasn't Easy Combining Football With Academics - Seyi Olofinjaana

By Niyi Busari

Former Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana, has recalled on his early playing days when he had the privilege of combining professional football with his academics while at the Ladoke Akintola University of technology (LAUTECH).

The Former Stoke City midfielder started his professional career with Crown FC of Ogbomoso, before joining Kwara United, from where he jetted out to Norwegian side SK Brann in 2004.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers legend is another example of a top-class professional footballer who worked on obtaining a higher educational background.

The talented midfielder kept a Chemical Engineering degree, which he obtained during his days in Nigeria and decided to focus on Football solely.

Olofinjana like every other player who try to combine football with education struggled with time when the professional obligations stood in their way.

Nevertheless, he proved that mixing professional football and academic aspirations are not only possible but relatively easy to achieve if you put your mind on it, this he further explained while answering questions from journalists on one of Nigeria's foremost Sports Whatsapp Group, Family United by Football (FUBF) on saturday evening.

"It was a very difficult thing combining professional football with academics, but I was lucky and privileged, because the two clubs I played for while in Nigeria weren't so for away from my school," he told FUBF.

"Crown FC was in Ogbomoso, where my school was and still is, Kwara United was in Ilorin, which was just thirty minutes away from from school.

"I had the grace and privilege of playing for a Premier League club, even while still in school, it came with alot of responsibilities and I was able to cope because I was so determined to and I must say, I am reaping the benefits now.

"It was indeed challenging, lost a lot of friends because I had no time for them, was too busy with school and football. I have no regrets, I am glad I could achieve success in both."