How Cutting Off Jollof Rice Improved My Form- Isaac Success

Nigerian and Watford forward, Isaac Success has had a good season so far with the London club, featuring in every game and scoring goals.

It wasn’t always like this as he endured a difficult season under former coach and current Everton manager, Marco Silva.

Success almost left the club as he didn’t believe he could excel in England.

“I won’t lie, I was having difficulties and I thought English football wasn’t for me,”

“The coach didn’t really believe in me. I wasn’t fit enough. I wasn’t ready, physically or mentally. Coming back from injury and all, I was frustrated. All the other players were really sharp and doing well.

“It was difficult to get my chance and I wanted games to lose some weight and get back all I’d lost. My career stood still. Being alone, not feeling my future was safe, that worried me. Mentally I wasn’t OK. It was really tough, and not knowing about the lifestyle side of football in England, I didn’t get it right.”

Success credited a change in diet, including cutting off Jollof Rice and other African meals, for his upturn in form.

“The main factor was that I wasn’t fit and wasn’t working,” Success said. “I made mistakes because I wasn’t working hard and needed to concentrate more. I’ll always be the same person but I needed to reduce everything I was doing and I’ve reduced it.

“I stuck to my plan. When you’re fit it’s more difficult to get injured, and if you’re injured you recover on time. So, this season is going well because physically I’m fine. I lost a couple of kilos and that made me faster and stronger. I feel sharper.

“I have a coach who believes in me and he gives me confidence and freedom to do what I want on the pitch.

“I was eating a lot of African food and it was a little bit heavy but I’ve cut that out and I’m on the team diet, eating with the team. Eating earlier at night, it’s really helped.

“All of this has been a big change in my career and I say a big thank you to the Watford family for believing in me and for keeping me – and hoping I can get better. I am getting better. I am grateful for that.”