One-cap Super Eagles midfielder and former Valencia forward, Sunday Stephen, tells JOHNNY EDWARD about his experiences traveling to Europe as a teenager, his national team debut and more in this interview.
no Heard a lot about you lately, Stephen. What have you been doing since you retired from football?
Since I retired two years ago, I decided to be closer to my family and support my wife, Mirian, in helping the underprivileged in the country and Africa as a continent through our NGO Mirian & Stephen Charitable Trust Foundation. I know how hard it is right now in Nigeria and considering it was not easy even then while we were growing up.
My family often struggled to find the basics. I know what it’s like not to have food to eat and I know what it’s like not to have water to drink. When I was little, sometimes we couldn’t afford bread and never afforded table water. Life was hard. At first he didn’t give me everything. He made me suffer, he made me fight. So when the opportunity arose to leave and chase my football dreams, I jumped at it. We are caring for more than 40 children and more than 15 who need medical attention in hospitals. I want to help and this is the best way for me because now I am an orphan.
You started your career in Spain, and played in Israel, Bulgaria, Turkey, USA and Cyprus. Where did you like playing soccer the most?
It was in Spain, but Major League Soccer also gave me something to encourage. LaLiga is a league that every player wants to play in and something to be proud of. My name was playing with Poli Ejido, but I won a title with Valencia: the Copa del Rey in the 2007/08 season. It was a remarkable feat for the team’s young players at the time. Juan Mata and Fernando Morientes were my teammates at the time. I have good memories in other leagues but LaLiga remains the best for me.
You represented Spain at youth level, but only made one appearance for Nigeria at senior level, in the 2010 AFCON qualifier against Guinea in Conakry. What was it like making your debut with the Super Eagles?
Yes that is very correct. We lost that game by a single goal, and that was the only sour part for me, but playing for Nigeria was my biggest dream and I’m happy that I got it, although I feel I could have won more caps. I was lucky and privileged to play in Nigeria. It’s the best feeling a player can have. Representing your national team brings prestige and earns you respect from your club teammates.
Did you regret giving allegiance to the Super Eagles?
I never once did. Like I said before, I could get more caps but there is also a lot of talent hoping to get a chance. If you are out of the group, work hard to get back in, because the person who joined will not give up their place easily.
You arrived in Europe at 15 from Lagos. How hard was it for you as a teenager living abroad?
The beginning of my journey is sad. The agent approached me in Nigeria and told me that if I got a visa and made my way to France, he could find me a place in a team when I got to France. I called him several times but he never took my calls, which left me frustrated. I spent three years in France, staying with old friends and playing street football. That was until I reached some people I knew in Spain and they offered me a place to stay, as long as I could make my way there. So I moved into a room with eight other boys and started living life the way I could, just to survive. The hunger was not pleasant at all. Sometimes we had nothing to eat. However, I was going to train in the winter, but I had hope that I would succeed and it came when I played a tournament for immigrants in Spain. I met an agent who introduced me to a group, and in 2005 I signed my first contract with professional Poli Ejido and the rest is history, they say.
Did your parents help you play soccer?
They were never in favor of his decision to play football, let alone go to France. Teenagers who played football were always referred to as ‘stupid’, but I’m glad I was able to change that impression when I became successful. Meanwhile, I had difficulties in France and Spain at the beginning of my journey, I never called my family, I didn’t want to make them cry. They already knew I left, but they didn’t know the situation. Of course, they were worried about me because I was unreachable at the time. I swore I wouldn’t call them until I did and I didn’t call them until I had a professional contract. When I finally called my mother, she was very happy and from that moment, our lives changed forever, so I want to help as many children as I can to have a better life. They apologized, admitting that football was my calling.
What is the outlook for the Eagles under Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro?
He needs time to bring his ideas to the team. We have good players scattered all over Europe and what we need now is a manager who will bring them together into a good unit. If we can do that, the Eagles will be unstoppable again.
Do you think he’s the right man for the job?
Well, time will tell, he has won the most important matches so far, the African Cup qualifiers. We will wait and see.
Why did you choose Nigeria, even though you had the chance to play in Spain?
Nigeria is my homeland and I would not have refused at that time when I was invited, even if the Spanish senior national team came for me. It was my dream as a child when I started playing football and I am happy that I achieved it.
Would you say you fulfilled your dream as a footballer when you retired?
Of course, I am fulfilled because I am able to help people through the fame and fortune that football has brought me.
Is not playing in the Senior World Cup something you regret?
Of course, I regret it because it’s something I would have gotten if I played more games with the Eagles. Many great players never played in the World Cup and some will not play there yet. When I look back on my career, I’m always grateful, no matter what.
What would you say is the highlight of your career?
Playing in Nigeria has to be the highlight, but also winning the Copa del Rey.
What is your lowest?
Not playing enough games for my country hurts, but sometimes fate has to be accepted.
