exclusive interview with Warri Wolves

Warri once a very quite town in Delta State of Nigeria is known for a number of things. For instance it is cohabited by the Itshekiris, Urhobo and the Ijaws primarily. It is the home of the Ogiamen Atunwase, one of Nigeria's most respected the Monarchs. But the n too, Warri is home to a number of oil companies.
In sports, it once housed the else while  River Valley football Club. It is now the home base of the very mobile WARRI WOLVES; one of Nigeria's major football clubs which has made a strong showing in the professional soccer league in Nigeria. It has an enviable record to show for it on the league table.  This is where our search light is beamed in the edition of 370 . 
You may already know that Warri Wolves have 32 players, But may not know that each player earn about N200,000 monthly as salary and N30,000 as match bonus. They train twice every day, weather in rain or sunshine. The club occupies the third position on the league table with 30 point. Matches are taken seriously and are physically and spiritually prepared for.They fast and pray ahead of matches. Three players from the club are on the call up list the national team.
In this exclusive interview the Team Manager of  Warri Wolves Football club, Coach, and the Club's Vice Chairman spoke about the club's travail. We also had a chat with some of Warri Wolves players on a number of issues.
We hole you will enjoy the presentation by Esther Egbe. 
                                                          


















                  
Tell us your name and how long you have been in the Warri wolves
My name is Prince Odinogbe, i am an ex player of five special team in Nigeria,NNPC, NPA Julius Berger IBHN, DSC and a coach by profession, i graduated from Ife and was once a captain of Ife school team in 1994-1995 and i went to University games in Forka Japan in 1995. I have been with Delta state sport commission for the past 9 years. I started my coaching career in Delta state and from there, i was made the assistant coach to the team. i have been with the Warri Wolves for the past four years now till date.
How was working with Warri Wolves been for years?
It has been up and down as a team and they have their things season by season. The first season we had a continental with the second season as well but last season was rough, we had lots of ups and down that season but we thank God the season went well. We started early this year with a new leading management team and coach as well and so far so good, we are doing well.
What are your challenges and how do you get sponsors?
First of all we give thanks to God Almighty and our able Governor, the person of Dr.Emmanuel Uduaghan Governor of Delta State the chairman and lots of people like that, with that; God has been on our side too. The sponsorship, our chairman is kind of dynamic chairman and he can go any length to make sure that this team doesn't have any problem. Last year too, they gave us lots of assistance sponsorship, even this year too, with the help of the governor and the chairman, commission, i don't think there should be any problem and even people are even coming for sponsorship too but we have to weigh their sponsorship, before we can accept it.
COACH OF WARRI WOLVES SOLOMON OGBEIDE
What's your name and how long have you been in this coaching job?
My name is Solomon Ogbeide, i am a graduate of Physical Health Education from University of Benin, i played for  Bendel Insurance, Benin in 1973-1976, i played for Raka Rovers of Kano and came down to Edo state. In 1985 when i finished, from Uniben, there i became a coach for Bendel United
In 1985 when I finished,I became a coach with Bendal United,coached Julius Berger for five seasons then i came to Warri to coach NPA and brought NPA to the premiership then i left from there i left Bendel Insurance 2001. In 2002, i was their coach and from there i went to Sharks 2003-2005. In 2006 i went back to Bendel Insurance and I took them to challenge cups final, and in 2007-2008, i was with Lobi Stars as a technical adviser and that same 2008-2009, i was with this Warri Wolves as a technical adviser too after their first continental then something happened which made me leave for sunshine, but now am back again with them as their coach.
How has it been managing Warri Wolves?
It's a place I know very well, so is not a problem. First the people are wonderful, they love the club, love winning, the governor is very helpful, when he comes to the game.
Would you say Warri Wolves is the best club you have worked with as a coach?
Warri wolves is very good, in terms of sponsorship likewise Sunshine Stars FC,I will rate Warri Wolves and Sunshine Stars Fc as the best club in Nigeria in sponsorship they are the few best. That I have worked for and I know the administration is excellent, they are very supportive financially and the players too are comfortable.
Any challenges like sponsorship?
Well the Governor has been a great support to the welfare of the club so we lack nothing.
How would you rate Nigerian football?
Nigeria football has been very great most especially the Warri wolves because they, their players are comfortable and i can say they are the best.
How do you manage work and family?
I love my job, I have been coach over ten years now and I have a lovely family two kids and my wife, any little time ,I have I run home to see them, because my wife is a great person who has always been the daddy when am away.
How do you feel as three of your players are been invited in the National team?
I feel very lifted, as a coach its shows we are doing our work well, Stephen Keshi is really doing a great job, am happy for the invitation of my three players are Osadiaye Joseph,Azubuike Egwueke and Oghenekaro Eteto.picking my players is exposing the club and it will encourage him to improve his working rate.
What is your take on age cheating in Nigeria?
You can see, we are crying that Okocha is gone, because there is no replacement, this is age cheating that is causing it.This is why I have always stressed on the Grassroots development, we in Nigeria we are selling finished products, our is just competition competition, we don't have time for youth development, we should have under 13U-17,U-20 this will make replacement will be easy, because the process of grow is from where to where, they said we don't have money to buy players, if we have U-17,U20 all the clubs football will be made easy, this will not make us to buy players. Is only few coaches, that gives opportunity to younger one and I have always believe in that look at Oghenkaro Eteto I picked him from feeder team, I asked him to start training with the senior team, because I saw his talent look at him, today he was picked in the national team.
When was your best memory as a coach?
My best memory are when we win an important match and we are been appreciated, those are mine best time.
 
Speaking with players             
My name is Azubuike Egwueke Captain of Warri Wolves who played central defender with Warri wolves.
He started football at the age of four now for Warri Wolves, however i started playing at kindergarten age in primary school, then secondary school, down to the youth club, before i graduated to the professional level.
His mentors are as a player i look up to Uche Okechukwu (Former Super Eagles Defender), i also like Vidic from Manchester United, and they are my role model in football.
The clubs I have played are Animal United, OUK (Orji Uzor Kalu) United, MPL United, then to Warri Wolves.
My challenges was when i first came to Warri Wolves, i took ill for almost six months after some games. However i recuperated i started playing again. I can't really say
In terms of women, that are a common issue among footballer, once you are doing well, you will get their attention. So what makes you a man is that you have to overcome it, we are over coming Gods grace.
He said what it feels like playing for National Team? Playing for the national team, even now that i am seating with you, it's like am still dreaming. If someone had told last two years that i will be in the national team, i will not agree. I just thank God for everything he has been doing for me that shows that God Almighty is on seat.
My best moment was when we won the African cup of Nations February 14th this year. This has been my best moment in football for now and was very happy to win the cup; it was like a dream come through.
Football has done so many things in my life, it has really made me to see things and learnt a lot of things in life and i thank God for everything and in five year time. I want to be in New York then and i wish to play for Manchester United because am a Man U fan.
I will rate Nigeria football, is improving footballers are great and the league is perfectly okay.
 
Oghenekaro Eteto, the higher goal scorer in Warri wolves former Lobi Stars Fc player ,an amateur player  who started football at the age of eighteen in Nov 9, 1995.Since he started football from the on-set when ,as a kid, he love football so much and it happens to be his best sports ever among the sports. Football is what i desire most in my life. He started professional football league with Warri Wolves, when he got promoted by Lord Ama.
He revealed that he can't make it through football because without his mentors there and it's what he has always wanted to go into and he believes he can't make it in life with football by his side.
He added that he didn't have any mentor that trained him in the act of scoring goals, but with the help of his coach, the support of the team, their contributions i believed i was going to make it.I don't have a goal target, i just believe in God that i can do it in any game i play with the support of the coach and team mates.
He revealed that this is his first season and had not played a professional football before but now has been playing Amateur League with Lord Youth Club, he said since he came to Warri Wolves, he thank God because he believe in all the Nigeria Clubs in the Country, Warri Wolves is the best and He started well with them and he is very happy. So, it's been great working with Warri wolves.
He said since he came to Warri Wolves for now, he don't have any challenges at all. He just believes that since he has been playing with them, he prays that God should keep him and protect me from injury.
Five year from now (He laughs) well he wishes to be big in his career playing in Europe. He doesn't have any specific club, but if he must choose, then it would be Manchester United and with his talent he believes he can get there and make it big.