Page18 TheTrumpet MARCH 12 - 25, 2008
Sport
Kayode Odejayi: The hero from Ibadan
By Belinda Ogunlana
H
eroes are like villains, in that to Wembley. I have never been there and
they are made, not born. it is what you dream of. It has not sunk
When Kayode Odejayi was in.” Reds manager, Simon Davey also
born in Ibadan, Western Nigeria, on admitted that: “I still cannot believe what
February 21, 1985, no seer could has just happened. Hopefully, I will wake
have gazed into the future and up tomorrow and it will still be true.”
predicted he would be the one to rewrite Common, geezer, it’s true; you’re going to
the history of Barnsley Football Club. Wembley.
The last time the Reds made it to the last Bought for a relatively meagre
four of the FA Cup was in 1912, thus, the £200,000 (some of Chelsea’s players earn
year Odejayi was born marked the 73rd more than that in three weeks) from
year that Barnsley got to the semi-final of Cheltenham Town in June 2007, the six-
the FA Cup. Understandably, nobody in footer’s journey to the limelight has been
South Yorkshire could have cared about a long walk. He came up through the
the birth of baby Kayode on that ranks at Bristol City, before joining Forest
memorable day, but from now on, that Green in 2002. After one impressive year
little boy of 23 years ago has achieved a there, Cheltenham signed him on and
legendary status in South Yorkshire. before leaving nine months ago, he
Barnsley have joined the company of managed tucking in just 30 goals in 148
FA Cup giant killers, and when the story is appearances. Before Saturday’s career-
told in either South Yorkshire or in the defining leap of faith, it’s been
periphery of Fulham and Kings road, September since his name appeared on the
Odejayi is one name many of the Blues scorers’ sheet. “It has been a while since I
supporters will love to curse. have managed to get a goal and I do not
It may no longer be news that Chelsea think I could have timed it any better.”
have been dethroned as title holders, but Not surprisingly, he declared that: “It
the reality of bundling out the defending was a great day, but not just about me. Its
champions and heading for a mouth about all the players and about Barnsley
watering historic appearance at Wembley, Football Club,” the 23-year old
will surely take a very long time to sink disclosed, on Saturday.
in for the TYKES, who are just above the If Odejayi was understandably being
Kayode Odejayi
relegation zone in the Championship. modest, his manager also shared the same
Speaking after his 66th minute header views, but still had to single him out for He is not the only hero, because because he has put up with a lot at times
sent out the former champions, Odejayi changing their story. everybody deserves credit.” However, “I this season and has come back strong.”
said: “it is like a dream that we are going “Kayode was magnificent out there. have to give him a special mention
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