Get to know – Malachi Ogunleye

James Lowy’s under-18s meet Spurs at AFC Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium having already knocked out category one opposition West Brom and Newcastle in the previous two rounds.

Here, afcb.co.uk introduces you to some of the members of the successful squad, with midfielder Malachi Ogunleye put under the spotlight.

Malachi Ogunleye is hoping to become one of football’s smartest players – both on and off the pitch.

The versatile midfielder is in the first of a two-year scholarship with AFC Bournemouth having been on the club’s books since he was 11.

A teenager of many talents, Ogunleye was once a champion break dancer on the south coast and now uses his free time studying sport and economics.

As well as playing and training for the Cherries under-18s, Ogunleye is working towards a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport at Brockenhurst College and an A-level in economics under the Premier League’s education programme.

Ogunleye said: “I love economics, it really tickles my brain. When I was deciding which A-level I wanted to do, it was the stand-out one for me.

“It teaches you about real-life situations and helps me unpick things and see things I didn’t see before. It’s a great subject.

“The course is run by the Premier League virtual school. There are four in our class – me, my teammate Kash Kasukumya and players from Norwich and Southampton.

“We have a tutor and do lessons online three times a week. I was a bit sceptical when I first heard about it.

“But as I’ve got into it, I’ve realised it’s similar to college or school, if not better because you’re in a much smaller class.”

Ogunleye, who attended St George Catholic College in Southampton, played youth football for Chamberlayne, Netley Royals and Fareham Town.

Asked whether he considered himself as “intelligent”, he replied: “I try!

“Every field I’m in, I like to push myself. I don’t want to leave with any regrets with anything I do.

“I work my hardest in school, in education, on the football pitch or wherever I am.

“It’s in my nature. I’ve always been told by my parents to really value everything you have and make the most of things.

“If I can do it, why wouldn’t I? Why would I do a disservice to myself?

“When we were getting our scholarship decisions, I was put on an extension as I’d had a previous injury so didn’t get mine when everyone else did.

“During that period, I didn’t really know what was going to happen. I didn’t know if I would be going to college or if I would be doing a scholarship.

“It made me realise that you can’t take anything for granted because you never know where you are going to end up.

“My dream is to become a professional footballer. I can’t put my finger on what would happen if I didn’t make it but the world is my oyster.

“Whatever I look to be or whatever is inspiring me at the time, I believe I can do it.

“It might be a masters in economics or an apprenticeship as an engineer or an electrician.”

Ogunleye is relishing working with under-18 manager James Lowy.

He said: “James is a very demanding coach. To him, standards are the most important thing because we know everything we do off the pitch relates to on the pitch.

“Whether it’s politeness, manners or being courteous to people, everything is taken into account in our squad. Every day, you have to be ready and at it.

“If you’re going to be late or aren’t eating properly then you’re setting yourself up for failure and James will tell you.

“I like it because I make sure my standards, both on and off the pitch, are always at the highest level."

Inspired by father Olamide and mother Katie, Ogunleye could represent either Nigeria or England at international level and is keeping an open mind on the future.

“I really enjoy both cultures and embrace them both,” he said. “I’ve been to Nigeria once and was due to go again before Covid came. I’m looking to go again this year.

“I’ve had some recognition from the newspapers in Nigeria so it’s been nice to see that. I would be honoured to play for either country and, hopefully, one day I’ll get to make a choice.”

Asked about his hobbies and interests, Ogunleye said he enjoyed spending time with his family. He has two sisters, Abi and Remi, and goes home when he can to see them.

He added: “I moved into digs at the start of the season. It was a challenge for a 16-year-old and I was a bit homesick to start with.

“But I’ve found ways to deal with it, like talking over the phone to my family or them coming to have food with me.”

Now, what about the break dancing?

“I like dancing!” laughed Ogunleye. “I was a break dancer until football took up all my time. Even though I’m slowly losing my rhythm, I’m still quite good.

“If there’s a big game and we win then everyone calls me to the floor. Or if we have a good day in the gym after we have won a game on the Saturday, I might do a couple of moves just to light up the mood even more.”

Asked whether he was the best break dancer in the squad, he replied: “One hundred per cent – nobody can compare!”

This article appeared in an edition of MATCHDAY earlier this season.