By Nelson Dafe, Benin City on June 2, 2018
Isaac Success, the Watford attacker is not resting in his oars as he looks to get back to his best when the European season resumes after this summer's World Cup in Russia.
The burly attacker, who was mostly crocked last season, is treating his post-season holiday break in Nigeria not as an opportunity to relax to no end, but rather as a big chance to get back to his very best physically to ensure a much better 2018 season.
To this end, the lad who is in his hometown of Benin City in Edo State has been shuttling to the School of Health Technology playing field to keep fit with Ojolojolo FC, a grassroots side who are currently participating in the Steven Keshi Memorial Cup.
In the spirit of the very warm friendship that exists between the technical crew of Ojojolojo FC and Success, a friendly match was organised tagged 'Success and friends vs Ojolojolo' which held last Wednesday morning.
It was fun as well as it was an intense game with pride and prestige at stake.
The young Ojolojolo players, while motivated to be in the presence of Success and Guether Furth of Germany defender Erhun Obanor, put in a gallant display to keep their more illustrious opponents at bay for most part of the game.
Success showed on occasions of what makes him a great player during the match as time after time he waltzed past his marker to delver killer passes and shots himself, one of which struck the bar early in the second half.
With just a few minutes to go, Success made a run into the byline of the Ojolojolo defence and was upended just inside of the edge of the 18 -yard box by an overenthusiastic defender.
Success rose up to tuck in the ensuing penalty to break the deadlock.
Moments later the referee sounded his whistle to signal the end of the encounter, and Success celebrated his side's 1-0 win with an exchange of banter with Ojolojolo coach Pius Ehigiator.
After the game, in his usual tradition, Success treated players of both teams to a sumptuous meal at his family house just a few blocks away from the School of health premises.
Success is always intense and very competitive in the field but a near opposite off it.
Humble and friendly are words that are thrown about very easily, but they are characteristics that Success truly possesses.
He takes it upon himself to go round each friend, some of whom he hadn't seen for ages, to make sure they are comfortable and well taken care of in his presence.
His company is a delight as he mixes well-measured rib-cracking jokes with an empathetic attention to friends.
Not for him the head in the cloud attitude and haughtiness of a big star in the midst of lesser known friends.
After the buffet meal, laced with plenty of juice drinks at his house, came time for dessert.
Success drove with old time friends to the prestigious Mat Ice bar located in the GRA of Benin City for a very delicious course of ice cream, mixed fruit tarts, cheese, nuts and a couple of other savory items.
After the meal there was some goodies as 'transport fare' for each friend as everyone joined in prayer for more success for Success.
In a very quiet way, Success's philanthropic heart has been felt around non-football circles during this current visit to Nigeria. He has taken time to visit some schools and some charity homes in Edo state to shower them with some handsome donations. All this he does without much media attention, true to his self-effacing way.
The prayer and wish of many is that Isaac Success, a true pride of Edo state, would have a more successful 2018/19 season and go on to a much longer and richer football career.
•Photo shows Isaac Success posing with friends at Mat Ice bar in Benin City
Source Daily Sports
Posted June 2, 2018
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