14th April, 2011
David Ochei is the team manager of Real United Football Club of Surulere. His team are preparing for the Ogun State FA Cup. In this interview with SUNDAY AKINTOYE, Ochei, popularly known as Powerful, speaks on his decision to shun the Lagos FA Cup and other issues
Your team will not take part in this year’s Lagos State Challenge Cup, why?
I didn’t register my team for the Lagos FA Cup because of irregularities that normally occur during the championship. Many grassroots club owners always complain about bad officiating and lack of proper organisation, which informed my changing our base to feature in the Ogun State Challenge Cup. So we decided not to take part in this year’s edition.
How would you rate the ongoing Lagos FA Cup then?
Honestly, this year’s edition is fair and better. The organizers are trying their best to bring sanity into the competition. Let’s see how they will continue with the good work they started. I pray that this year’s edition would be a successful one.
Any regret that your team are not taking part in this year’s edition in Lagos?
I don’t regret at all. My players are in high spirits and ready for the Ogun FA Cup.
Tell us more about your preparation ahead of the Ogun FA Cup?
We travelled to Oshogbo to play Prime FC and I am happy that we held the home team to a goalless draw in the encounter. It was a tough match for my players because Prime FC are a good side too.
Are you planning to play another big club before your Ogun FA Cup?
I am still planning to play 3SC in a friendly match. I have spoken to 3SC Team Manager, Mutiu Adepoju and he told me that he will fix an appropriate time when they will invite our team to Abeokuta for the friendly match.
When did you form your club?
It was formed in 2007. when I started with 65 players. But today, I have more than 100 players in various categories
Have the club won any laurels?
Our biggest achievement was when we won an invitational tournament in Ghana in 2008. We defeated International Allies 2-0 to lift the cup. Some of our players have left the club for professional clubs. Chukwuka Onuwa and Vincent Eze are now playing for Heartland FC, that’s another achievement for us.