Super Eagles Goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo Speaks On His Move To Sudan

Super Eagles of Nigeria goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo has admitted that he has not been to Sudan since he completed his move to the country’s top club, Al-Merrikh SC.

Olorunleke Ojo was having a good run at Enyimba of Aba when he decided to take the next step in his career by joining Sudan Premier League club, Al-Merrikh on July 1, 2024.

In an interview with Naija News, Ojo, who helped Enyimba to win the 2022-2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, said he has yet to touch down in Sudan since he completed the move.

He revealed that he linked up with the club in Tanzania where they played a couple of friendlies before they travelled down to Nigeria for the Value Jet Cup Pre-season tournament in Ikenne, Ogun state.

When asked to compare the Sudanese league with the NPFL, Ojo said: “Well, the truth is that ever since I moved, I have not gotten to Sudan yet because I went to meet them in Tanzania. So, that was where we were before we came here. But all the same, with the way I have seen the team play, the Nigerian league is the league that made me who I am today.

“So, for now, I have not seen any league that is more than the one I am used to. Maybe when I start playing in their league, I will now know how to compare. The one that made me is still the best for now.”

On his experience with Al-Merrikh so far, the 28-year-old goalkeeper noted: “It has been good. Football is the same thing and the same process everywhere. So, there is no new thing. Everything has been fine since I moved there.”

Olorunleke Ojo has been fully involved with Al-Merrikh in the ongoing Value Jet Cup. He played in the club’s first game of the campaign which ended in a win for them against Shooting Stars of Ibadan.

In their second game, which was against Ikorodu City FC, Ojo played the first 45 minutes before he was replaced by Sudanese goalkeeper, Garas Kafi in the second half of the encounter. At the end of the day, Al-Merrikh, who is qualified to compete in next season’s CAF Champions League, suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the newly promoted Ikorodu City FC.

The Sudanese side was able to bounce back in the last group stage game by beating Remo Stars B Team 2-1 to finish top of Group A, one point above second-placed Ikorodu City FC.

When asked about his take on the tournament so far, Ojo told Naija News that the competition has been smooth as he applauded the organizers.

“I am sure it is good”, he said. “It is a tournament to at least prepare the teams, especially those on the continent because this is the only avenue for them to test themselves and also see the players that will execute the matches and tournaments for them.

“So, it is a good thing. I just commend the organisers that everything has been moving on smoothly since the beginning of the tournament. So, I hope that it will keep going this way.”

On what his fans should expect from him, Ojo added: “They should always expect the best of me because this is my career. This is the only job I know I can do. I will keep giving my all, giving my best daily to ensure that I make them happy and to remain and stay positive towards me.”