By Toby Prince
Football is probably the most followed sport in the world – the gladiators are viewed as role models by spectators as well as umpires without any perception of their contrasting lifestyle.
Many footballers though naturally gifted were not able to take their careers to the next level due to their personal lifestyle off and on the pitch. Gambling, drinking, smoking, abuse, molestation, arrogance and much more are the traits synonymous with this class of players.
This could be attributed to fame and immaturity.
While some players outgrow such acts with time, others live with it and the consequences could likely ruin their careers.
Enter Gbolahan Salami, a player loved and loathed in equal measure. Branded as the ‘bad boy of Nigerian football’, he opened up to SuperSports about his controversial tag:
“People who say I am controversial don’t know me. I will always fight to defend my family and my team. If that makes me controversial, so be it.”
Salami has represented Nigeria at the U-20, U-23 and senior levels dating from 2008. Before joining his current team Warri Wolves, he kited for both Sunshine and Shooting Stars – but failed to secure deals abroad twice with Aston Villa and Red Star Belgrade.
A pacy winger – comfortable on both feet – Salami hasn’t been devoid of controversies in the league as he has been suspended on numerous occasions for his goal celebrations, altercation with fans and teammates and all-round conduct.
Despite all the troubles, he has constantly proven to be one of the best attackers in the Nigerian League hitting double figures almost on every season.
His coach at Wolves Paul Aigbogun said about him after scoring a brace in 2014:
“He has been doing well for quite some time now and is an integral part of the team. We are happy with his input which has helped the team.”
Turning point
Salami has however taken a new lease of life since the turn of the year concentrating more on football than his shenanigan. And the Lagos-born winger has attributed his refinement to his wife, Olulade, who he describes as his “pillar”. The pair got married only last December and it is no surprise that the Wolves man has scored 14 goals in the league so far including four in his last two.
“She talks to me day and night about the need to create a better image for myself on and off the pitch especially in the national team. She has brought calmness into my life,” Salami told New Telegraph about his wife.
He continued: “My wife is like a pillar to me right now. She made me realise many people look up to me to show example and that some of the things I do today will be reference point for our children.
“She has been doing well to shape my career. I now play with more confidence and don’t just allow anything to annoy me anymore because I have to make her proud at home.
“That I am scoring often now is a result of marriage because I am just a better person in all aspects including my job as a footballer. I play now with responsibility to make myself and my family proud. I also try to avoid any embarrassment.”
His level-headedness and form has finally paved way for a dream move to Europe as reports claim that the player has signed for a Norwegian side – and will move at the end of the current season.
Another major milestone in his career is his appointment as captain of the home-based Eagles and will lead his country for the first time on Saturday in an African Nations Championship qualifying match against Burkina Faso.
“The coach has told me that I am the captain,” Salami confirmed.
“I think everything will be fine against Burkina Faso, we are ready to play the game.
“Everybody knows what is at stake, we are all working hard for the country and we want to win the team.”
So who says hard work does not pay? At 24, Salami is already a veteran in the domestic league and a mainstay in the national team.
He has 13 caps and three goals for the main Super Eagles team – which is a remarkable achievement for a home based player.
