'Raphael calls me dad' - Oliseh reveals he's like a father figure to Super Eagles midfielder Onyedika

Churchill Oliseh, the owner of Nigerian grassroots club FC Ebedei, has revealed that he has played the role of a father figure to Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika. 

Churchill is the elder brother of Nigeria legend Sunday Oliseh who turned out for RFC Liège and Racing Genk during his playing days. 

The FC Ebedei owner rescued Onyedika from poverty and probably saved him from a life of crime as the Super Eagles midfielder became who he is today thanks to Churchill Oliseh.

The Club Brugge star had no prospects in sight and there was often no food for him and his five brothers

Onyedika's father passed away when he was two, leaving the family in poverty in the Nigerian city of Onitsha.

"Raphael calls me dad. (proud) I am like a daddy to him," Oliseh said to Het Nieuwsblad (subscription required).

"A turbulent environment. When I was looking for talent, I even needed security guards - there was so much unrest.

"And there, on the street, I found Raphael. He was already fifteen. But he was special."

Onyedika was playing football barefoot before Oliseh brought him to FC Ebedei, from where he moved to partner club FC Midtjylland.

"Suddenly he wasn't hungry anymore. Did he receive medical care? Stylish clothing. And maybe he could make something of his life after all.

"Raphael had talent, I saw that right away, but what mainly distinguished him from the others was his background.

"He was a fighter. Mentally he was strong, precisely because he had experienced so many setbacks. He was very determined. And he has a good heart – that always helps."

Onyedika is the top scorer in the Jupiler Pro League Championship round playoffs with three goals in three matches. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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