The singer, widely known as one half of the iconic duo P-Square, recently took fans down memory lane with a reflective Instagram post in which he revealed that his early ambitions were not limited to the stage.
According to the artist, he once trained at the renowned Pepsi Football Academy, one of Nigeria’s most prominent football development programmes responsible for nurturing many talented players over the years.
During that period, Okoye’s football prospects were promising. He disclosed that he was offered an opportunity to play professionally for Plateau United F.C., a top-flight club based in Jos.
A surprising connection with Mikel Obi
In the nostalgic post, Okoye also shared a throwback video featuring former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel, revealing that the two once played together during their junior football days.
The moment sparked excitement among fans, many of whom were surprised to learn that the Afrobeats star had once been on a similar sporting path as the celebrated midfielder.
Choosing a different dream
While the opportunity to play locally was a significant one, Okoye explained that his ambitions stretched far beyond Nigeria. At the time, he had hoped to build a football career in Europe — a dream shared by many young African players.
However, life ultimately took him in a different direction. Music, which he pursued alongside football in his youth, gradually became his defining path.
Today, that choice has translated into massive success. As part of P-Square and later as a solo artist, Peter Okoye has performed on international stages, earned numerous awards, and built a career that has made him one of the most recognisable figures in African pop music.
Reflecting on the journey, the singer described his career trajectory as a matter of destiny and grace.
“Never give up! Yes, I used to play football and chase music at the same time. I was even offered the chance to play for Plateau United from Pepsi Academy back then in Jos. But my dream was always to play in Europe. Somehow, destiny chose the mic instead. Today, I’m an established and successful artiste/musician. That’s nothing but grace.”
For fans, the revelation offers a fascinating glimpse into what might have been — a reminder that one of Afrobeats’ biggest stars could just as easily have been seen on the football pitch instead of the concert stage.