Kcee, Nigerian music star, revealed that he was once a footballer but turned to music after his soccer career ended due to lack of support and sponsorship.
In a recent interview with podcaster Temisan Emmanuel, the “Limpopo” hitmaker shared that before music brought him fame, he had dreams of making it big on the football pitch.
Playing for top Nigerian clubs
Kcee revealed he once played for Julius Berger FC and Puma FC during the 1990s. He described himself as a promising young athlete, full of energy and ambition. Football, he said, was his first love.
“I started with football,” he said. “That was the first thing that took me out of Nigeria. I played for Julius Berger. I also played for Puma. My first trip to South Africa was because of football. That was before music ever came into the picture.”
Part of a promising generation
He recalled being a teenager when he was actively involved in the sport. At the time, he played alongside other talented young Nigerians who were tipped to take over from the legendary 1996 Super Eagles team—the Olympic gold medal winners that featured stars like Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu.
“I was a very young boy then, maybe 16 or 17,” he said. “Jay Jay and Kanu were already making waves. My set was supposed to be the next generation. We were the ones expected to carry the torch after them.”
A career cut short
But despite his talent and hard work, Kcee said he couldn’t go further in his football journey due to one major obstacle lack of sponsorship.
“I gave it everything I had,” he explained. “But getting support or sponsorship was so hard. We didn’t have the opportunities that players have today. It was a real struggle.”
Turning to his second love
That struggle forced him to consider other options. Thankfully, he had another passion—music.
“I didn’t leave football because I wasn’t good,” Kcee added. “I left because it was tough to survive in it. That’s when I looked at my second love—music. I had always loved singing, so I started focusing on that.”
Juggling two passions
At first, he tried to juggle both careers. He would train on the field and then spend time writing and recording songs. Eventually, music began to show more promise.
“I was doing both at the same time,” he said. “Then I entered the Star Quest music talent hunt. I won. And I started making money from music. It was clear that music was opening more doors.”
Choosing the path forward
Faced with a tough decision, Kcee chose to follow the path that gave him the most hope—and income. He left football behind and began building a name for himself in the Nigerian music industry.
“After winning Star Quest, I had to choose. I couldn’t keep doing both. Music was taking off, and football wasn’t,” he said.
A life changed by music
That decision changed his life. Kcee went on to become one of Nigeria’s most popular music acts, known for hits like “Limpopo,” “Pull Over,” and “Ojapiano.” Over the years, he has released several chart-topping songs and albums, winning awards and performing on big stages across Africa.
Still a football fan at heart
Although he left football behind, Kcee says he still loves the game and sometimes thinks about what could have been.
“Football gave me discipline. It taught me focus. I’ll always be grateful for that part of my journey,” he said.
From the pitch to the stage, Kcee’s story is one of talent, persistence, and finding success when one door closes and another opens.
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