Nigerian-Born Poland World Cup Star : Biggest Mistake In My Career Joining Portsmouth
Published: March 02, 2018
Nigerian-born striker Emmanuel Olisadebe has admitted that joining English club Portsmouth was the biggest mistake of his football career, labeling them a small club with substandard facilities.
The 2002 Poland World Cup star joined Portsmouth from Greek giants Panathinaikos in January 2006 and made only two appearances in the Premier League against Everton and Birmingham City before he was released at the end of the season.
''I was told I could leave, so I did. I signed a contract with Portsmouth for less money than I had in Panathinaikos,'' Olisadebe said to Sport24.gr.
''It was a very bad decision to leave a club like Panathinaikos for as small as Portsmouth. They did not even have their own training center.
''Changing rooms were in terrible condition. I was in despair when I was in Portsmouth. A hideous city with only one shopping center, no nightlife. The biggest mistake in my career.''
Olisadebe represented Poland's senior national team 2000-2004, making 25 appearances (11 goals), including three matches at the 2002 World Cup, where he scored after three minutes against the United States.
The 39-year-old, who first made his name at Jasper United, now lives permanently in Nigeria.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : sport.tvp.pl
The 2002 Poland World Cup star joined Portsmouth from Greek giants Panathinaikos in January 2006 and made only two appearances in the Premier League against Everton and Birmingham City before he was released at the end of the season.
''I was told I could leave, so I did. I signed a contract with Portsmouth for less money than I had in Panathinaikos,'' Olisadebe said to Sport24.gr.
''It was a very bad decision to leave a club like Panathinaikos for as small as Portsmouth. They did not even have their own training center.
''Changing rooms were in terrible condition. I was in despair when I was in Portsmouth. A hideous city with only one shopping center, no nightlife. The biggest mistake in my career.''
Olisadebe represented Poland's senior national team 2000-2004, making 25 appearances (11 goals), including three matches at the 2002 World Cup, where he scored after three minutes against the United States.
The 39-year-old, who first made his name at Jasper United, now lives permanently in Nigeria.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : sport.tvp.pl
Latest News
- Bayer coach Xabi Alonso stays: Chelsea and Arsenal-linked striker Boniface could follow suit
- Osayi-Samuel advocates for stricter regulation after incident during Trabzonspor v Fenerbahce
- Oliseh draws parallels between Liverpool and NFF managerial hunt; wants either Amuneke or Finidi as Nigeria boss
- Top 10 most valuable players in the world: Osimhen joint seventh along with Arsenal's record signing in history
- 2014 World Cup winner Mertesacker backs Nwaneri to thrive on and off the pitch after going pro at Arsenal
- Quad-national midfielder now eligible to be added to Arsenal's Champions League squad
- West Brom's Super Eagles striker nears return to action after more than three months on the sidelines
- Finidi includes Fenerbahce, Anderlecht, Everton, Bolton, Vitoria legends in dream Super Eagles XI
- Nottingham Forest boss provides update on Awoniyi after striker's withdrawal from Ghana, Mali games
- 'Fantastic couple just like in Nigerian national team' - Ex-Napoli star has his say on Osimhen v Lookman duel
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football