My name is Abanikannda Olayemi Azeez . I was born into a family of six, my parents, myself and my 3 siblings. I am the first child of the family. We are from the south western part of Nigeria and our tribe is referred to as the “Yorubas”. Growing up was fun because we moved around the country a bit before finally settling down in Lagos, the former capital of Nigeria and the most popular state in Nigeria. I am generally very reserved and like to observe my environment very well before making friends but once I blend in, I am very active and out spoken with any friend or friends that I make once I am sure.

This is my family and i at my younger brother's convocation 2 years ago. The kid in the photo is my nephew.



I had a really fascinating primary school education at Fanlot International nursery and primary school. I said fascinating because I was very active in sports, soccer to be precise and in academics. In fact, I was the Senior prefect of my set that year and I was also the captain of the school’s soccer team. I was a popular kid in school for obvious reasons and I really got along with all the kids then and even with the teachers. I had a friend then, he was the quiet and very reserved type and because of that he got bullied a lot until one time it happened in my presence and I had to step in. I wasn’t the biggest kid around and so my size doesn’t scare anyone. I tried to step up for my friend that day by fighting off the bully, I got over-powered but didn’t give up. The big kid had to let go eventually and never bothered my friend again. Just like they say that twenty children can never play for twenty years, my friend and I parted ways when we left primary school.

My secondary school education was equally interesting and memorable. Growing up, i wanted to be a medical doctor but that changed in the later years of my secondary school when i got more involved with soccer because I felt i couldn't combine medicine and soccer. I'd loved soccer even before i could walk, my parents told me. They said i didn't want to watch anything on tv but soccer. I was captain of every team i ever played for, right from my primary school to university.

After i left secondary school, i got admitted into the University of Ado-ekiti where i studied Biochemistry. During my academic years in the university, i was a soccer star. I would go on to captain the school team in my third year. My dream to play professional football became clearer as we played numerous competitions. From the Nigeria Universities Games (NUGA) to the West African Universities Games (WAUG) and a host of others. In my third year in the university, i got invited to the U-20 national camp but didn't make the final list therefore unable to represent my country.

Myself striking a pose.


With some of my school/team mates during the opening ceremony of the competition. I am seen in a white top holding the school's sign post.


Warming up for a match during the 2010 edition of the West African Universities Games. I am seen wearing the number 10 short.




Biochemistry was a very challenging course especially for someone like me who wanted to play sport. From early morning lectures to practicals and more laboratory practicals. I had to put in some more serious work in class in order to come out with good grades. This important and necessary decision really affected my football. I came out of university with a second class upper but as a rusty footballer. Although i resumed training afterwards but i had lost a reasonable amount of time not practicing. An agent from Real Zaragoza came to watch me play at some point and was really interested but the deal broke down because of a particular Spanish law which prohibits a player older than 17 years of age to be transferred directly from Africa to come and play in the La liga.

Myself with an agent (Mr Andrez Milan) from Zaragoza.

I am now an entrepreneur, i own a shop where i sell football jerseys and other sporting gears, but still practice rigorously every other day just in case an offer to play professional football comes knocking. I still do anything and everything football till date. I even participated in a football quiz show (MTN Fanz Championship Africa) which was sponsored by MTN, a popular and giant telecommunication company in Africa. The show was aired by almost all tv stations across the country. Myself and 2 other team mates made into the semi final and won the best celebrated goal of the competition.

Earlier today at practice.


Myself trying to control the ball during a local league in my hood.


After practice with John, my friend who came to introduce Scorum to my team.


Myself with the ball in local league in my h


Myself and team mates at the MTN Fanz Championship Africa

I got introduced to this wonderful community by a friend. I will do everything within my power to share my knowledge in sports and help grow this community. I am also an avid follower of other sports like tennis, boxing and basket ball.