By: Adekunle Oni-Daniel

In campus sports, student players exhibit potential and talents. The spectacular display of these often earn them opportunities, making them a force to be reckoned with. Their ability to do the impossible in the world of sports sometimes fetch them global fortune, opportunities, and recognition.

A game of two teams with eleven players each, football, is characterized by players with varied levels of excellence. Just like how fans and opponents usually watch out for players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, and Kevin De Bruyne, there are student players at the University of Ibadan who are usually on the lookout list during sports events. One of these is Adedoja Sarah.

Adedoja Sarah, a 500-level student of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources and a resident of Queen Idia Hall, is recognized for her talent and passion for football.

Sarah started developing a passion for soccer right from when she was young. Born into a house with three older brothers, she was exposed to outdoor activities.

“I started playing football as a young girl while growing up in a lively neighborhood filled with lots of kids. Having older brothers who were much older than I was and very active also exposed me early to different outdoor activities, football being one of them. After school, I would join my brothers and the neighborhood kids to play football until nightfall or until my mother would call me in,” Sarah told IndyPress while reminiscing.

“Playing football started off naturally for me as a child because it was simply part of my daily life and environment,” she added.

Sarah also reflected on her days of engaging in soccer with other boys in her area. This, she said, later strengthened her passion for soccer, and sports at large.

When she gained admission to the University of Ibadan, she had the fear that her passion for soccer would fade as a result of the necessity to commit to her primary assignment on campus; academics. But she noticed that passion could not be eroded the moment she came to the SUB field to train with her colleagues.

“Thankfully, with the help of my mentor, I was able to find a way to balance my time and commitments. It hasn’t been easy as it obviously seems my passion lies elsewhere, different from the walls of the classroom, but I had long learnt that whatever is worth doing is worth doing well. My academics still remain a priority and I had soon learnt the importance of setting clear priorities and maintaining discipline both on the field and in the classroom,” Sarah said.

Dealing with Challenges

One major challenge among sportsmen is imposter syndrome. The feeling of doubt about one’s ability to perform can undermine performance. Sarah mentioned that in her journey through the world of soccer, she sometimes felt she wasn’t good enough nor worth the recognition she received.

“Fear of failure was a challenge for me. Sometimes I pressured myself so much to perform well that it became mentally exhausting. There were moments when I genuinely considered quitting, thinking that maybe football wasn’t meant for me after all,” Sarah said.

She, however, derives confidence from the words of Adrien Peterson when the imposter syndrome feeling sets in: “When you don’t give up, you cannot fail.” This mantra, she said, has always motivated her, especially during her low moments when fear of failure or self-doubt creeps in.

“This simple but powerful quote reminds me that perseverance is key. As long as I continue to show up, continue to push myself, and refuse to quit, I am already winning, no matter the obstacles,” Sarah added.

Arching her Achievements

Sarah Adedoja is not without achievements. She has hit several milestones as a student player, which earned her recognition and respect.

During the 2020/2021 Interfaculty games, Sarah, in her first year (100 level), led her faculty female team as the team captain, despite the presence of senior colleagues on her team. Her faculty eventually clinched third place in the interfaculty tournament, with her emerging as the highest goal scorer in the competition.

Sarah’s feat did not end there. She also led her hall team to triumph in the inter-hall female football competition. Sarah also participated in the ABH league and came out as the most outstanding player in the league.

By extension, Sarah has represented the University in various competitions, including the 2022 NUGA Games, held in Lagos State. Despite her achievements, Sarah was humble enough to admit that a tree cannot make a forest by attributing her success to her colleagues.

“Football is a game where individual brilliance matters, but teamwork is absolutely essential. Without good teamwork, individual efforts are wasted and the team suffers as a whole. It takes mutual understanding, communication, dedication, and selflessness among players to truly bring out the beauty of the game. Effective teamwork allows individual talents to shine while still serving the collective goal, which is winning and playing beautifully. In every game I’ve played, especially in difficult matches, I’ve realized how important it is to work with your teammates, trust them, and play as one unit,” Sarah said.

Sarah is open to more opportunities. She told IndyPress that she is determined to accomplish feats. She also aims to reach greater heights in the world of football. She regards her time at the University of Ibadan as a stepping stone towards her professional growth. She looks forward to becoming a force to be reckoned with and an inspiration to other female players who dream of following a similar path.