Football
“Heartwarming and High-Intensity” - Olamide Adugbe on Dream Journey to Italy
Nigerian U20 star Olamide Adugbe opens up about her transition to Italy’s Serie A Women, the tactical rigor of Italian football, and her personal goals with Napoli Femminile.
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The Nigerian U20 star, and Super Falcons prospect, now 21, shares insights with us at SportsBoom on her new life, challenges in Italian football, and the influence of Napoli’s team culture on her game.
From the Nigerian Women’s Football League (NWFL) to Italy’s Serie A Women, Olamide Adugbe’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
Now a rising star at Napoli Femminile, one of the hottest Nigerian attacking prospect opens up about her adaptation to the Italian league, her goals for the season, and the people who have inspired her along the way.
“Heartwarming” First Steps with Napoli
For Adugbe, joining Napoli Femminile was a major milestone, a dream she had long cherished.
My experience coming to Napoli Femminile has been heartwarming. It's a dream come true. It's just another stage of life.
Olamide Adugbe
Facing the Intensity of Italian Football
Transitioning from the NWFL to Italy's highly competitive league has been a new challenge for Adugbe.
The midfielder describes the increased pace and defensive focus that characterizes Italian football compared to the Nigerian league.
“Yeah, playing in the Italian League, yeah. The Italian League is like a difficult league. It's quite different from the Nigerian League,” she says. “It’s a more high-intensity league. It’s the kind of league where you have to defend. And you also have to find your way out in winning…
The league is so competitive. So it’s quite different from the NWFL.
Olamide Adugbe
A Warm Welcome and New Lessons in Culture
Adjusting to life in a new country can be daunting, but Adugbe feels at home with Napoli, thanks to her supportive teammates and the Napoli community.
“Adjusting to life in Italy is super, super exciting. With the help of my teammates and people around me, it's quite easy, a bit,” she says.
“Football, it's just one language. When you pass the ball, I think they understand.”
Living in Italy has also taught her the importance of small cultural gestures. “For the cultural aspect, you need to say hello every morning,” she laughs. “You need to put a smile on your face, and it's nothing much different. You need to just be respectful.”
Inspiration from Coaches, Teammates, and Management
Amidst the rigorous training and adjustments, Adugbe credits her manager and agent as well as her teammates for providing vital support.
“My biggest influence, I would like to say, is my manager and my agent. Vortex Agency and my manager, Prince Ademola Osinowo. They've been an inspiration to me,” she reveals.
“Knowing people are around to support you, it's a great thing in life.”
The team itself has also been instrumental. “All thanks to my coach, Mr. Mango, and my fitness coach. The players were welcoming even before I came to the team,” she says.
A special mention goes to Maria Banusic, Napoli’s number 10, who Adugbe admired from Nigeria. Her African teammate, Violah Nambi, has also been “a sister and mentor."
Tactical Discipline and Its Impact on Adugbe’s Game
Italian football has added a new layer to Adugbe’s skill set. Known for its tactical discipline, the league has made her a more thoughtful player, constantly aware of the balance between attack and defense.
“There are so many tactics, and one must be disciplined. You need to be tactical while you’re defending,” she explains. “While I was in Nigeria… you just be there, and we just give you the ball, and you just make runs and all that.
Here… at every point, I need to attack, and at every moment, I also need to defend with the team. That's just it.
Olamide Adugbe
Setting Personal Goals for a Breakthrough Season
For Adugbe, this season is about establishing herself within the team and making an impact on the field. “My personal goals for my season at Napoli are to fit in the team,” she shares.
“I’m trying my best to do that. Also, every dream of a player is to be one of the biggest players. And one of the greatest players ever. But… my goal this season is just to get at least six goals for a start to my career in Europe.”
Ultimately, Adugbe hopes to help Napoli Femminile secure their position in the topflight while reaching new heights in her own game.
“I'm doing my best. Training, resting well, and learning new tactics. Also, learning the language will also help me better, I know.”
Gbemidepo Popoola, is a freelance Sport Journalist with multiple years of experience in Writing, Reportage and Broadcasting. Gbemidepo's major concentration is telling the local Nigerian Sporting stories, in its own Unique way. This is because he believes, "no one, can tell our story better than ourselves".