It’s no longer news that Temitope Emmanuel Olusesi has parted ways with Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2016 champions Rangers International of Enugu but the surprising aspect was the manner at which they ended their seven years Union.
In an exclusive chat with Owosports.com.ng, the Super Eagles defender revealed, as he spoke extensively on what transpired that led to his removal as the captain and his departure from the club he has served for years.
“The reason I was stripped off the captain’s armband was really not explained to me and that was the reason I had to pen down my farewell message to the team”, He said.
He continued “So many people have been calling me to know the reason. They thought I did something wrong, but there was nothing like that I just feel the team already made up their mind to let go of me.
“The issue started on the Day i wanted to leave for Abuja for the CHAN qualifiers. My contract had already expired so I was asked to sign a new contract before leaving which i declined, i told them i can’t sign now i will think about it and know what to do when i return from the qualifiers.
“When i came back after the qualifiers i was supposed to go home from Abuja but i went to Enugu because I had the intention of staying with the team. When i arrived the management were not saying anything about the contract so i felt they’ve made up their mind and were no longer interested so I spoke to them about some money I was supposed to be paid.
“One day I was in camp when they sent a message through the camp commandant that I should leave the camp, and i asked what happened and they said they just want everybody to leave camp off which i was the only one in and they said i should leave it was then i knew this guy’s where prepared for anything, fortunately I saw the team secretary because he was in charged of everything so I asked him why would he do that because i felt it was disrespectful to me for all the years I’ve been with the club I don’t think i should be treated that way.
“He responded saying he didn’t know i was in camp, i asked how would you not know I was in camp? The team have not resumed I was the only one in camp he said the Government want to renovate it, I said alright i don’t have problem leaving the camp.
“On that same day salaries were paid and i didn’t get anything so it was with all these i then understood I was not needed so I decided to go home and see my family.
“When I got home to saw my family, then i got a call from my coach (Abudul Maikaba) that I should come back to Enugu and i told him I can’t come back that day he is asking me to come that I will come back the next week. The following week I went back.
“I was relaxing when I got a call from a friend who asked me if i was still with the team and I said yes so i asked what happened? he then told me they just announced on Facebook the new club captain, and I said really? That I am just getting to know this now.
“I went and discussed with them ( Management) that if they can do such that means I’m totally out already. So i asked that before i leave i would like to know their reasons for doing all they’ve done and what my offence are, it was then they opened up and told me it is because i refused to sign a contract before leaving for the CHAN qualifiers because i had it in mind to go and sign for a foreign club that i will enable me pocket the whole money as a free agent that i wouldn’t give the club anything. So now i didn’t sign and i decided to come back because Rangers is my second option.
“I asked why would you guys think this way and the secretary who revealed all these to me said yes it’s because they know how footballers behave and I said okay since you can think this that means I’m not needed and he said yes that it’s the decision of the management.
“So I asked for my papers and my money so I can go, it was then that the coach called and asked me not to go that he still has me in his plans and I said coach it’s not about having me in your plans you were here when the captaincy was taken off me without me knowing, without any discussion with the management so there is no need for me staying here even if you want me to stay because there will be nothing good from me staying here do he said fine if that’s what I want and I left”, he concluded.
Speaking on his future he said for now there is nothing that he would be making a trip to USA where he would go and relax and then think about the next step for his career.
