FC OPA's new star Augustine Jibrin hopes to make an entrance as he steps into European football. The 20-year-old central defender hopped from his former club NAF Rockets FC in Nigeria to FC Opa in February, aiming to help the Oulu club gain promotion from the second to the first league, where AC Oulu currently play.

Augustine, known by his team mates as Austin, hails from Ankpa in the Kogi state of Nigeria, which he misses for his family, friends, and his favourite food, pounded yam and egusi (plant seed) soup.

His biggest shock on reaching Finland was the cold. "It was hell," he laughs.  As to whether he will stay in Finland permanently, he says "as a profession footballer I will go where the contract is best, I have no idea how long I will be here in Finland".

Austin feels he has adapted well and is enjoying his stay so far. He feels that playing football in Europe will improve himself as a player. "Back home we concentrate on physical football; in Finland it's more about technique. Plus the faculties are fantastic: they really help bring out the best in a player and improve team play."

He finds it strange that training here includes breaks for water. "Back home we had no water breaks, this was to help build up endurance," he remarks. Team training usually lasts ninety minutes a session, but Austin may do the same or even a two hour stretch for personal training–time he uses to discipline and perfect himself.

This natural right footer would like to play for a top club in Europe such as AC Milan or even for his favourite team Chelsea, if he continues to work hard.

With most of Europe, Austin was glued to the European cup. "Of course I watched it! Pity the teams I backed didn't do so well. I was backing France and Italy but both let me down."

Jibrin has only one question, one that burns into most football fans who live in Finland. "Why do the Finnish not like football? Football is more than a sport: it's a great power, a unity that unites people and brings them together, no matter of their colour or race. The power of football is global". 

To see Austin play, purchase tickets at the gate for 5 euros or 3 euros for students, senior citizens, and children under 12. Season tickets are also available for 50 euros.

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