Sporting Lagos midfielder Victor Umoh has revealed the touching story behind his decision to wear the name “Clifford” on his jersey, explaining that the gesture honours his late father, who inspired his football journey.
Known to fans and people in his community as Clifford, the playmaker said the name carries deep personal meaning because it was the name his father affectionately called him. It also reflects his identity and upbringing in Nasarawa, where the nickname became widely recognised.
“Decided to change the name to honour my dad,” Umoh said. “From Victor to Clifford, Clifford is also my name, the name my dad normally calls me. So, I changed the name to honour my dad, and also the streets, because where I grew up in Nasarawa, everybody calls me Clifford, everybody knows me as Clifford.”
The tribute carries an even deeper significance because Umoh received news of his father’s death shortly after a training session ahead of a crucial promotion-deciding match against Osun United last season.
After a phone call from his elder brother, the midfielder said he struggled with grief and briefly considered whether he could continue with the team’s campaign.
However, he chose to play, informing his coach, Jeff, about the loss before travelling with the squad.
“I told him that I lost my dad… Then I told him, like, ‘I’m still going to the Osun game.’ We went there, we won the match, we got promoted. I was the happiest person that day on that pitch,” he recalled.
Umoh said he consulted his siblings before finalising his registration details for the new campaign.
Now wearing the number 10 jersey and his father’s cherished name in the Nigeria Premier Football League, the midfielder hopes to achieve his targets while keeping his father’s memory alive through his performances.
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