Former Ghana Black Satellites midfielder, Michel Otou, has opened up about the highs, lows, and unexpected twists in his football career. A journey that has taken him from the pitches of Accra to his current home in Ethiopia, where he plays for Hawassa City FC.
Michel, who has previously featured for Accra Great Olympics, Inter Allies, and Legon Cities, revealed in an exclusive interview with Omega One on IND TV that his career could have taken a completely different turn one that might have landed him in Europe much earlier.
“I signed a contract to play in Portugal here in Ghana without ever setting foot there,” Michel recalled. “I was supposed to go to Nigeria to finalise my Schengen visa application, but someone claimed they could help me. Instead, they ended up seizing my passport. It’s something that still hurts whenever I remember it. The club in Portugal even celebrated my birthday without us ever meeting in person.”
Despite the setback, Michel refused to give up on his football dreams. He credits his move to Ethiopia to a chance encounter with his current agent, whom he met on Facebook. That connection proved invaluable.
“A strong agent is paramount to getting a club to play for,” Michel said. “My agent is the same person who sent Omar Bashiru, a former Kotoko player, to Ethiopia.”
Now settled in the Ethiopian Premier League, Michel says his life revolves entirely around football. “Apart from football, nothing makes me happy,” he confessed. His career journey marked by resilience and persistence serves as a reminder that success in football often requires adaptability, patience, and the right network.
From representing Ghana in the 2015–16 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations to becoming a key figure in Hawassa City’s midfield, Michel Otou continues to write his football story one determined step at a time.
