'I have that Third Eye' ; says sports analyst James Oyedeji

Best described as a connoisseur in his field, James Oyedeji when asked how he became a repository of sports said “I cannot answer that. It is a gift. I have that third eye.”

The first in the new World Cup series of the show PM Express-Personality Profile, Oyedeji enthralled his audience with a journey through time, giving insight into life in the Gold Coast up until recent time.

With a MSc. Economics degree, it is quite difficult to understand why he would choose to be in the sporting world. To him however, it is not rocket science. “I was born literally in a park and the first person I saw was the then goalkeeper of the Black Stars, Abdul Kasumu. I also worked in sports as a child with my mother making sales from spectators who watched matches and practice sessions” he says.

Oyedeji was quick to add that his knowledge was not limited to just football. “I know boxing more than football. Nathaniel Attoh is my witness. Here in Joy Sports he asked me if I could say something about boxing and he was shocked because of how much knowledge I had.  I also know about athletics.”

When asked if this year's World Cup was the most exciting, he responded saying, “The value is the same. It has been the same since 1930. Same euphoria. The only event that could rival it is the heavyweight championship title bout between Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston.  Football has taken over.” 

Going further to discuss Ghana's chances against Germany at the World Cup Oyedeji said, “Going beyond patriotism, it is looking unlikely that we will win against them. There is a very small possibility that we will win. Even if we beat them, that is where our problem will start. This is a team that beat a strong, emerging European team, Portugal by 4 goals. Even if Ghana beats Germany, we need to get six goals to be on top of Germany and then look over our shoulder at the USA which has head – to –head advantage over Ghana.”

He however expressed support for Head Coach, Kwesi Appiah stating that he did not blame the coach for taking the decision he did. What he did blame him for was the timing of the substitution. In his words: “The coach is not responsible for the result of the match but he is responsible for the performance of the team. That is where you can fault the coach.”

PM Express airs at 21:00 from Monday to Friday on the Joy News channel on Multi TV.