The Nigerian artist Chukwudi Ken Agali, widely recognized as Chuddy K, shares his cherished recollections of Nigerian soccer and Arsenal during an interview with Abiodun Awale.
What's your personal sports narrative from your childhood days?
My journey began in Ajegunle, where your options were pretty much limited to football or music. At that time, musicians and soccer players from Ajegunle were making waves. Daddy Showkey lived nearby; our families were friends, often crossing paths on Alhaji Musa Street near Iya Ojo. Growing up, I excelled at football—my uncle played professionally for Julius Berger and coached younger kids too, including me as his ball carrier. Meanwhile, because of my mother’s encouragement, I became part of the choir at church. Both pursuits thrived alongside each other during those years.
What role did you take on?
I used to be a striker—the type of player who could spell trouble for defenders around the goalposts. Scoring was almost inevitable when I was on the field. At one stage during high school, I even dabbled in playing defense as well. However, music consumed most of my free time, leaving little room for extensive training sessions.
How simple was it to opt for music instead of football when you were motivated by both choices?
I excelled at football, yet my vocal abilities were undoubtedly superior to my skills on the field. Singing came naturally to me; I felt like a shining star ever since I began performing in churches around the time I turned eight. The entire congregation seemed uplifted whenever I sang. By then, people considered me a child prodigy, even suggesting that I should join an adult choir despite my youth.
When I reached 15 or 16 and became part of the Salvation Boys group once more, my fame resurfaced and continued growing from thereon.
What methods do you use to remain engaged with sports?
I'm an Arsenal supporter, and every fellow Arsenal fan I encounter seems like a genuine individual due to our loyalty. We stand by each other even during tough times. My journey as an Arsenal fan began back in the 1997-98 season when Kanu Nwankwo signed with the team.
It seems like you had quite an appreciation for Kanu, enough to get involved with the club because of him. Could you share some memorable moments you experienced with him prior to his time at Arsenal?
Absolutely, the 1996 Olympics marked his rise as our idol. I watched him transition from playing for Inter Milan to joining Arsenal. During this period, France had taken over coaching duties in English football, which made everything incredibly exciting. Personally, I admired Arsène Wenger immensely; at one point, I thought he owned the team. My admiration extended beyond him to players like Thierry Henry, Ray Parlour, Robert Pires, and others—even prior to their unbeaten era.
For me, being an Arsenal supporter isn't merely following a sports club—it's part of my family legacy. Winning the UEFA Champions League has never been our primary concern. In fact, we nearly clinched victory in 2006 but lost due to controversial calls during the match against Barcelona. Similarly, another injustice occurred in 2008 when Robin van Persie received a red card without cause—apparently because he couldn’t hear the referee amidst the noisy crowd. To date, these incidents remain black marks on our history. The loss in the 2006 final felt particularly bitter since we were considered the underdog yet expected to triumph.
This upcoming season, once more facing off against Real Madrid might seem surprising, but rest assured, we'll put up quite the fight—and likely face biased officiating. Hopefully, things go well for us. All I wish now is for Bukayo Saka to return so we can gauge where we stand moving forward.
Have you visited the Emirates Stadium previously?
Certainly! I've visited that place twice before, and it was an amazing experience. Additionally, I’ve been to Stamford Bridge and the grounds of both Manchester teams. I also went to Charlton Athletic Stadium for another reason unrelated to watching soccer.
What are your thoughts on Arsenal's prospects for the Premier League title considering they have a 12-point deficit and only nine matches remaining?
Without the injuries, Arsenal should have claimed the title this season. The issue seems to lie with the owner, who fails to acquire new players when advised by the manager. Had we signed a forward in January, things wouldn't look so dire. A player such as Victor Osimhen upfront could've made all the difference. He'd fit perfectly into our lineup at Arsenal, whereas going to clubs like Manchester United or Chelsea may lead to frustration due to less playing time.
With Osimhen leading the line, he’d likely score non-stop. Especially if paired with an assist provider like Odegaard—much like his role alongside Haaland for Norway. This duo could secure multiple titles consecutively for Arsenal. Our midfield stands strong, and defensively, we're arguably unbeatable globally. Hence, unless Liverpool drops points consistently while we maintain wins across games, they shouldn’t pose much competition currently.
Are Nigeria still capable of qualifying for the World Cup through these qualifiers after their poor beginning?
We still have a chance if we secure victories in all of our last five games. With each win, not only do we gain ground but they lose points too, which could help us advance. Drawing won’t cut it; we must come out victorious every single time. Our squad boasts some exceptional talents performing exceptionally well for their clubs. Starting with Africa’s finest, Lookman, followed by Osimhen, Boniface, Iwobi, and Bassey at Fulham, along with Ola Aina—one of the premier defenders currently playing in the Premier League. It’s crucial that these individuals set aside personal accolades and unite as a cohesive unit. There should be nothing stopping this team from defeating England or any top-tier nation globally. Why would such an esteemed lineup find itself ranked so lowly at number five?
Who is your most beloved Nigerian player ever?
I admire Okocha, despite the fact that he did not claim all the honors expected of him. However, this is a player whom Ronaldinho looked up to and emulated his techniques. Had Okocha been either South American or European, I cannot fathom how many more distinctions he might have garnered. Okocha stands as the most technically gifted athlete that football history records. On another front, when discussing accomplishments, Kanu merits recognition for winning titles such as the Premier League, the Champions League, and even the Serie A. Additionally, he secured the title of Africa’s top player two times. Therefore, I’ll acknowledge him accordingly.
What have you been up to in music recently?
I've just released a new track called Sunday Morning, available for streaming across all platforms. Everyone should check it out and consider downloading it. Additionally, I'm currently preparing an extended play (EP) that will be dropping shortly.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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