Shittu's Many Victories
By Modupe Ogunbayo
Monday, May 05, 2008
Danny Shittu is one of the most popular Nigerian footballers in Europe today but getting to the top was through series of battles, most of which he won
Success is currently smiling at Danny Shittu, the Nigerian professional footballer who plays for Watford in the English league. He was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame for his charity works with Show Racism the Red Card, an organisation which is devoted to eradicating racism in Britain. Again, he was named member of the Professional Footballers' Association, PFA, championship team of the season, April 28. This award is one of the highest honours a professional footballer in England can get. Shittu is the first Nigerian to be so honoured.
His recognition came as a result of his outstanding performance in his club in the outgoing 2007/2008 season. He has not only been a dependable defender, he has scored nine goals during the period. His best form was not limited to the English league, however. Many football-loving Nigerians became aware of his football talents during the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Though Nigeria dropped out of the competition at the quarter-finals stage, Shittu had impressed soccer lovers with his solid defence skills. His soccer talents earned him a call-up to the Nigerian squad to the Beijing Olympics as part of the three over-aged players who Samson Siasia, coach of the team, invited.
Shittu's recent achievement has earned him commendation among his compatriots in the country. Shina Okeleji, a sports journalist with the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Lagos, said Shittu is a fantastic and mature player who has grown in stature as his football appearances for Watford has shown. Okeleji is particularly impressed by his performance for the Super Eagles during the last Africa Cup of Nations' tournament in Ghana. "Shittu was the only player that was outstanding in the Nigerian team in the tournament."
Wale Quadri, another sports journalist, wants Shittu to continue to work hard in helping to lift his team and his country higher. He also advised him to continue to be humble and focused because pride and unruly behaviour could only lead to self-destruction.
Apart from being a good footballer, Shittu is also a notable philanthropist. In Britain, he is a well known charity worker with Show Racism the Red Card. He had spoken at public functions against racism on several occassions. Apart from this, he also donates funds to the organisation. He does plenty of charity work in Nigeria as well. Recently, during his visit to Nigeria, he visited the National Hospital, Abuja, where he helped offset the medical bills of patients who could not afford to do so.
Born Daniel Olusola Shittu on September 30, 1980 in Lagos, Big Danny Shittu, as his admirers call him, spent some years in Nigeria before moving to England. His charity work was borne out of his personal experiences with racism while growing up in England. He said in an interview that before gaining fame on the football pitch, many Europeans found his name very offensive. So at times, his restaurant reservations were turned down or his application forms refused.
Shittu moved to Watford from Queens Park Rangers, QPR, for £1.6 million on August 6, 2006. Prior to that time, he had spent two years at Charlton Athletic on loan first at Blackpool and then QPR. The latter changed his on-loan status later.
While at QPR, an interesting development occurred. Alex Winston, a QPR fan, adored Shittu's style of play so much that he did not desire his return to Charlton Athletic. So, Winston acquired his services permanently for QPR for £350,000. He also paid his wages during his first season at QPR. He did not disappoint Winston. In 159 appearances in four seasons, he scored 16 goals.
In the summer of 2006, he was bought by Watford, a new comer to the English Premiership. This move was slightly controversial. Shittu had passed a medical test in preparation to joining West Bromwich Albion when a call from Adrian Boothroyd, Watford's manager, convinced him to join Watford instead. He soon became a crowd favourite at Watford with a chant in which they rated his soccer talents as being superior to that of Sol Campbell, another notable defender.
Shittu scored his first goal for the club in a 2-2 draw against Newcastle in a Carling Cup tie through a header that past Steve Harper, Newcastle goalkeeper, to give Watford the lead, November 7, 2006. Watford later went on to lose the match on penalties. He scored his first Premier League goal for Watford on Saturday, May 5, 2007 in a 2-0 win at Reading.
On Saturday, February 16, Shittu managed to score against Charlton Athletic, his former club.
He is not the only footballer in his family though. Richard, his younger brother, also plays for Cheshunt in Britain.
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