Will Roosa Ariyo represent Africa’s top country or the reforming Helmaris in the future? Goalkeeper is not worried about the situation, but wants to do well in the EC surprise Belgian series

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Pink Ariyo answers the phone cheerfully from Belgium. The last couple of weeks have passed in her new home country, where Ariyo has arrived to play in the traditional Club Brugge women’s team, Club YLA.

– I didn’t know much about the club or the country before coming here, Ariyo admits.

However, he decided to respond affirmatively to the offer that came through the agent.

– Things are clearly done professionally in the club and the women’s team is well supported. We want to make it more and more professional. The series is not one of Europe’s top series, but compared to Finland, it is clearly a step up. This is a good place also in the sense that you get responsibility and can show what you are capable of and be in an environment where you are supported, Ariyo talks.

The Finnish-Nigerian striker needs success. He left the domestic fields in the summer of 2021 and headed to Spain, to the ranks of UDG Tenerife. It was also the first professional contract of the then 27-year-old Ariyo’s career.

Behind him was a successful season and a half in the National League. Before his transfer, Ariyo managed to score nine goals in nine matches for TiPS. Ariyo’s name came to the public’s lips at the latest with the incredible hit seen in the National League in May 2021. Ariyo shot the ball from the center circle immediately after the start Åland United online and video (you will switch to another service) spread like wildfire on the internet.

However, the responsibility in the Tenerife club was less than expected.

– I had a great time in Tenerife outside of football. The weather and conditions were good. The playing time did not come as much as would be important as a futara, Ariyo recalls.

He signed a contract with Real Betis from the beginning of the year until 2023, but it soon became clear that Ariyo would not be able to play at the league level again in the 2021-22 season. He was not eligible for representation, as he had played one match too many in the Tenerife team.

– I had played in nine games and the limit is eight.

So Ariyo played in the club’s second team.

– Of course, I was initially disappointed because it was not what I had expected. But everything happens for a reason. In the final games, the organization there was not so professional, even though the club is big. Women’s football is not invested in the same way as, say, another club in the same city, in Seville, Ariyo says.

When the new head coach of the club was named Francis DiazAriyo’s coach from Tenerife, the striker decided to change scenery.

– I saw that there is not necessarily a seam and the place is not the best possible if you think about playing time. From a career perspective, it’s important to get responsibility and not just sit on the bench, even if the series is good.

Ariyo was brought to Brugge to do what a striker does best.

– I was brought here to play and score goals. However, there are a lot of attacking players here, but it’s nice to have competition.

One competitor can also be found in the Belgium team that will challenge Sweden on Friday night: Davinia Vanmechelen has so far sat on the bench in the opening three matches of the European Championship, but in the European Championship general played against Luxembourg, he played 90 minutes – and scored three times. Another new teammate, a defender Jody Vangheluwe has played in all three Belgian EC matches.

The team plans to get together on Friday evening to cheer on their teammates.

– We live in this student dormitory, where we have our own apartments. We go into the living room and start the games from the video cannon, says Ariyo.

At the same time, in the African championship tournament, there is a fight for the dullest medals, when Ariyo’s other home country, Nigeria, meets Zambia.

– I will certainly follow the result. I might watch the match if I can find the stream.

Ariyo has represented Nigeria in the training tournament played in the summer of 2021, but the invitations of that comedian have not come. He has also played one match in the Finnish youth national team, but there has been no contact from Finland either. He followed Helmarei’s moves closely at the European Championships.

– I would have hoped that Finland would have gotten a point there, but the group was tough, Ariyo reflects.

Since Ariyo represented Nigeria in the training tournament, he has not yet had to make a decision about which country he will represent in the future, should the call come.

– I try to focus on the things I can influence. I want to have a good season in the club team. Now there has been no news about the national teams, but it doesn’t help to worry.

Ariyo’s football career took off relatively late, as he only signed his first professional contract at the age of 27. When he was young, he didn’t get into Mäkelänrinte’s sports high school at first, but in his second year, the doors opened. While studying in Gothenburg, the striker played for Sweden’s second and third highest league level, and didn’t dream too much about becoming a professional.

However, now Ariyo has been able to make decisions ahead of football. At the age of 28, there are plenty of goals.

– My goal was to play professionally and now I play professionally. Now the goal is to be able to do it for a few years, as long as you stay healthy. The goal is to improve every year and reach that personal peak.

If the career starts a new rise in Belgium, maybe Ariyo will soon be seen in the shirt of the Helmares.

Sweden will face Belgium in the quarter-finals of the European Championship on Friday from 22:00. The live broadcast of the match starts at 21:30 on TV2, Areena and the app. Bet on the opening goal scorer of the match in Futistietäjä and win a technical ball!