Football Is Yet To Do A Lot For Me - LUKMAN HARUNA "Footballer"

It was a sunny Wednesday morning, on the 29th day of March 2017 when Micheal Irabor, of Kinggs Blog met with Super Eagles player who has graced several fields

 to represent different international clubs like AS Monaco, FC Dynamo Kyiv,  FC Anzhi Makhachkala and most recently FC Astana  Lukman Haruna had a long chat on his achievements as a footballer  and his other unknown talents. 




How did football all start for you?
It's been a long journey and a serious task I started very young and moved from one Academy to many others trying to make a name for myself until I got to where I currently am. I can only thank God for the countless up and downs.

At what point did you decide to take football as a complete profession?
Football for me is inbuilt. My father is a footballer,  as well as my brothers but I was was the one who was fortunate to go extra mile In football because I had to carry the responsibilities of the family. That was why I chose to play football after my secondary school education. I had to choose football over education because it won't have been possible for me to focus on both at the same time.

During your days as an upcoming footballer who wanted to attain success, was there ever a time you got so frustrated and thought of giving up?
For me,  I had different talents, I could sing,  play football and a number of other things but football was my first priority so I didn't mind the stress and frustration that came with it. I just believed football  would enable the world see me better than any other thing could and also make me feel appreciated.

You said you used to be great at singing. Now that you have attained a level of success, are you considering doing music anytime soon?
No I don't think so. I don't have that time, I don't even have that voice anymore, so I would just remain with my football.

Tell us about your big brake when did you get it?
I got my big brake in 2005/2007, when we won the nation's cup, that same moment we played and won the world cup. That's was a great moment and the best moment of my life.

After getting your big brake, what was it like adapting to the foreign style and pattern of football?
Getting there,  the weather was the first challenge I faced. I wasn't used to the weather at all,  as a matter of fact,  it took me a while to adapt to the weather over there. There were days I couldn't even play football as a result of the harsh weather but as time went by I got used to it.

What was the first club that bought you and what did it feel like getting an answer to you long time prayer?
 Well,  the thing is, hard work pays. If you work,  God can answer your prayer. Like the saying goes,  "Heaven helps those who helps themselves". I worked,  faced lots of challenges here in Nigeria so at the at point when that big brake came, I was joyous, overwhelmed and unexplainable thankful to God.

You spike about challenges, what were the challenge you faced before gaining your big brake and even after?
I have faced different challenge. Spiritual,  physical and some other once I can't even speak about. So many of us have spiritual attacks, people truing to pull me down just so I can't play football. I'm just glad I have strong parents who believes so much in God and never stops praying, if not, I won't be here talking to you about my good experiences in football. So I'd say I have faced and I'm still facing a couple of challenges like,  friends challenges, fans challenges but thank God these challenges have only made me stronger.

Getting there would you say you encountered and racial segregation?
Well it depends on the country you play. Where I played it was said that there might be racist there but the moment they were ready to invite black to cone over there to play football,  they actually had to let such segregation go. It's football, you can play in the worst countries and people would like you and you can play in the best countries and people would hate you.

What are the achievements football has brought you so far?
Everything thing I am and can say I own today. To mention a few would be the world cup, the nation's cup, my team in Europe,  super cup and a lot more

What's that thing football is yet to do for you?
A lot. God so kind,  I have been able to build quite a number of empires for myself and family but at the same time,  I'd still want to build and acquire more. I'd still want to do much more in football.

Of all the clubs you have played for,  which would you say you enjoyed more?
I'd say all the clubs so far. I have had a great time playing for every team I have played for and even the one I still play for. I have got no problem with either of them

How do you cope with your desperate female fans?
It's not easy,  it's not something I want to talk about but at the same time, I just have to play along with them is the most decent way available. I give them utmost attention because they are my fans and they deserve it.

Asides football,  what do you do at your leisure time?
I play games with my friends,  I stay home, that's all I do basically. I don't do much. Then I train a lot. I don't joke with my job.

What's your most expensive asset?
 I would say houses. I can't say cars,  cars are just by the way. I won't say house, I'd rather use the word "Home"  the roof above your head.

You spoke about giving back to the society,  how do you intend doing that?
I'm trying my best, I don't have much but everything possible to make people around me comfortable I try to give all I can,  I won't like to start mentioning but I try as much as possible to make an impact in the society with the little blessings God has given me. I do all it takes to encourage up and coming footballers I see,  I try to give them a reason to believe that hard work pays.

Any worst experience?
The worst moment of my life was in 2009,it was a terrible mistake which gave me no other option than to learn from it and a year later,  I was at the world cup.  I'm glad I was able to get over it.

If you could be a fancy car,  which would you be and why?
I would be a Porsche Panacea.

If given a fortune, what would you spend it on?
First,  I'd dedicate it to God,  I would donate some to the less privileged,   spend for God, and lastly help my friends and family.  Basically I would  be a blessing to others.

What advice do you have for people who dreams to thread on the same ground as you have?
I would advise them to be focused,  endure temptation and always see the bright side of everything be the most positive creature you have ever seen,  try not to be weighed down by the bad things people say about you, always try to better yourself and trust me,  success would be your end result