Gateway United of Abeokuta dazzler Seyi Okeowo is still relishing his 60th-minute goal against visiting Osun United of Osogbo, which eased relegation worries for his team in the second-tier Nigerian National League (NNL).
Okeowo’s sizzler was also adjudged to have made him stand out as man of the match during the pulsating fixture at MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, but the youngster said the biggest joy was how he helped to reduce his team’s worries.
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Okeowo told Sports247 in an exclusive interview after the game: “Firstly, I was very, very happy; because we were about to draw the match, but it was a game we had to win. So, the emotion in me was, ‘Ha, wow, at last I’ve scored.’
“I had also been dreaming of this kind of day … when I would need to score for the team. So, at last, I scored a crucial goal, and that made me very happy.”
He also looked at the implication of his match-winning feat, which came after Abimbola Woya drew the visitors’ level in the 45th minute, following Gateway’s opening goal by Babatunde Taofeek in the 21st, and the match then panned out into a topsy-turvy encounter until his decisive finish made all the difference on the hour.
Okeowo admitted, “The victory means a lot to me personally because there was a lot of motivation for us before the game. It was like, ‘Win this game and get so and so after.’
“Apart from that, since we were battling against relegation and trying to escape, we all know how this win is very, very important for us. It was a must-win match for us. So, the victory is very, very important for the whole team.”
He concluded by revealing his emotions on being named man of the match and, while acknowledging the role played by his colleagues in making it possible, Okeowo described it as a due reward for the high level of determination he always puts into each game he plays for The Rock City side.
“I also felt great being named man of the match. Of course, it’s for the team first, before me, but it also makes me happy personally because I love giving my best to the team.
“After that, I know the reward of hard work will surely come. So, I’m not surprised by this award. It’s part of me. Every match, I always come to give my best. So, with this, I am not surprised,” Okeowo affirmed
