Interview Chris Oretan Published on: 24-04-2012

Interview by Andrew Grima, Statistics by Victor Spiteri, Photos Domenic Aquilina, Archives.

We are happy to publish another exclusive interview, this time with ex-Valletta F.C. striker Chris Oretan.

Profile:

Chris Olusola Oretan was imported into Malta by Naxxar Lions in season 1998/1999. During his stay with Naxxar Lions he played in 44 matches and scored 14 goals.

After a 2-year spell with Naxxar L., Oretan joined Valletta FC in season 2000/2001. He formed part of the record-breaking Valletta squad that won six honors out of six in domestic competition (Premier League, FATrophy, Super Cup, Super 5, Lowenbrau Cup and Centenary Cup).

That season was Oretan's best year out of three with the club, scoring a total of 22 goals out of 28 matches. In season 2001/2002, Oretan scored a total of 15 goals out of 25 matches, whilst in season 2002/2003; he scored 12 goals out of 26 games. Chris Oretan left Valletta FC in season 2002-03.

In 2003, Oretan joined NK Slaven Belupo, Chris failed to make his mark in Croatia following a dispute with his foreign manager over the size of his fee from the contract.

Chris moved to Greece and joined Doxa Drama one of the oldest clubs in the country. All started well for the Nigerian striker until the club was on the verge of bankruptcy.

In January 2005 Chris returned back with the Citizens, he played in 13 matches and scored 4 goals. At the end of the season Chris left Valletta F.C. and joined BV Cloppenburg, a German football club located in Cloppenburg, playing a total of 6 matches and scoring two goals.

In the following season he moved to FC Kotzting, a club based in the city of Bad Kotzting in Bavaria. Chris took part in 22 matches and scored 6 goals. In season 2007-08, Chris remained in Bavaria with FC Kotzting making a total of 18 matches and failing to continue the season through an injury scoring only 3 goals during the season. Chris changed his position and started playing as a midfielder on the right.

In season 2008-09, Oretan joined Gross Hadern, a club located in Germany, scoring 8 goals and playing 32 matches as a midfielder.

Season 2009-2010 till today Chris is playing with SV Heimstetten. He scored a total of 9 goals from 30 matches; he also won the league and got promoted to the next league.

From 2010 till the end of 2011, Chris suffered a series of bad luck with an injury and was not playing regularly.

In season 20010-2011, he scored 4 goals in 20 matches.

Q) Name and Surname?
(A) Christopher Oretan

(Q) How old are you?
(A) 31 Years old

(Q) Do you still play football?
(A) Yes, I am still playing

(Q) In which seasons did you play for Valletta F.C.?
(A) I played in seasons 2000/2001, 2001/2002, 2002/2003 and January 2005 till end of the season.

(Q) What position did you play with Valletta F.C.?
(A) I played as a striker



(Q) Did you win any honors while you were in Malta?
(A) I was fortunate to be part of the team which won the six available trophies for the season 2000/2001
(League, FA Trophy, Super Cup, Super 5, Lowenbrau Cup and Centenary Cup)

(Q) Who were the club coaches when you played with Valletta FC?
(A) I played under Coach Krassimir Manolov, Dennis Fenech, Georgi Deanov and J.J. Aquilina.

(Q)Can you please tell us about these coaches and technical staff?
(A) All the coaches I played under had left a positive impression on me, given the situations and circumstances the club had find itself at that point in time, I think each coach had handle himself well and approach the games professionally.

The technical staff had always been there for the team. They created an atmosphere where we the player not just feel as if we were one family but know for sure we are and I want to believe it still very much the same today.



(Q) Did you enjoy playing with Valletta FC?
(A) Yes I did. I love it will be more of a proper answer, even today I still have a big smile on my face when I think of my playing days as a Valletta player.

(Q) Which is the most remarkable goal you scored with Valletta F.C.?
(A) I could think of a few but in order of importance’s, it will be against Floriana during the Centenary cup final, absolutely because one will need a century to play for this trophy again.

(Q) Which were your precious moments in Malta?
(A) Each moment was precious but 2000/2001 will be the most precious, it was a time of history making and am glad I was part of it.

(Q) Are you still following Valletta F.C. today?
(A) Yes I do, it hard not to merely because am still in contact with a lot of Valletta fans.

(Q) What are your comments towards all Valletta fans?
(A) You are the best fans any club can ever wish for, please stay the same and keep on supporting the team.

I will personally like to thank every fans for the support during my playing days at the club, they were there for me through the good, the not so good and bad times. I love you all.

(Q) Do you think you and your family will come back to visit Malta and maybe watch Valletta play again?
(A) I have always visited Malta since I left but have not had the chance to watch Valletta play, because I mostly visit at the end of the season. It will be nice to sit among the supporters again; they are without doubt the best.