My Parents Were Poor, I Begged for Food on the Streets Years Back - Nigerian and Liverpool Star Opens up
- Taiwo Awoniyi is a Nigerian footballer currently playing for Union Berlin on loan from Liverpool
- The 23-year-old explained that things were hard for him years back before he made it
- Awoniyi was among the Nigerian players who won the Under 17 World Cup in Dubai
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Nigerian and Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi has recounted the pains and hardship he went through on the streets of Ilorin in Kwara state before he succeeded in his football career.
While speaking exclusively with Legit.ng, Taiwo Awoniyi made it clear that the roads were tough for him years back even though his parents stood for him to succeed in life.
The former Nigeria youth international explained that his parents were poor and many times he had to beg for food on the streets from friends for him to survive.
Taiwo Awoniyi also explained how he used the money meant for his JAMB form to purchase form for Imperial Football Academy which was where his career was blessed.
The 23-year-old who currently plays for German side Union Berlin on loan from Liverpool explained that his parents, coach at United Football Academy in Ilorin, former Super Eagles star Seyi Olofinjana and coach Manu Garba helped his career.
''Glory be to God because I was the same person who used to beg for food in Ilorin because my parents were poor and I am grateful to my Creator for using me to change our story.
''Things were very difficult for me years back based on the fact that I knew no one, but God Almighty who I serve changed my life and took me to a level I never thought of.''
Since joining Liverpool in 2015, Taiwo has been playing on loan at other clubs, but he is hopeful that he would play for the Reds and also the Super Eagles.
''Jurgen Klopp takes me like his son and he checks on me time to time which gives me the morale and hope that I will return to Anfield one day and start playing.
''I also believe that my time to play for the Super Eagles will come.''
So far this season, Taiwo Awoniyi has played 19 games for Union Berlin and has scored 5 goals as he is currently recuperating from injury.
Source: Getty Images
Earlier, Legit.ng had reported how Taiwo Awoniyi helped his side to a famous 2-1 win over one of Bundesliga favourite side Borussia Dortmund.
The 23-year-old headed home from close range to break the deadlock in the 56th minute as his side went ahead by 1-0.
It was then the turn for 16-year-old Dortmund star Youssoufa Moukoko to put his name in the record books of the German league as the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Bundesliga
Source: Legit.ng
