Former Super Eagles and Mamelodi Sundowns winger Ejike Uzoenyi has revealed the confusion that ensued following his role in Nigeria's AFCON 2013 title run, Soccernet.ng reports.
While he played just 18 minutes in the tournament hosted by South Africa, Uzoenyi announced himself the following year at the CHAN 2014 tournament, helping the home-based Super Eagles team to a bronze medal.
Later that year, he was included in Nigeria's World Cup squad as Keshi's men advanced to the Round of 16, only to get knocked out by France.
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Super Eagles: Why Uzoenyi picked Mamelodi Sundowns over Orlando Pirates
The winger's flair and technical ability made him one of the most sought-after players after the CHAN tournament, leading to a frantic transfer race for his signature between two PSL giants.
Ultimately, he chose the Brazilians over the Pirates, but recently revealed the decision wasn't an easy one to make.
“I chose Sundowns back then because I would still choose them now despite that I didn’t have the best time with them,” Uzoenyi told KickOff.
“They have a foreign tradition and not just South African tradition, and Pitso Mosimane was a top coach and good human being.”
“Before I even kicked a ball for Sundowns, Mike Ntombela, Peter Ndlovu and other Sundowns officials came to Nigeria and were even to Nigeria for my wedding.
“But then, to start from the beginning, the first club that came was Ajax Cape Town. Their official came and took me to Century (City) Mall for a brief discussion.
“However, people then said Ajax is a small club that cannot be compared to Pirates after Pirates came into the picture.
“I knew I was going to Pirates because there was an agent talking to them on my behalf.
“I hoped Pirates would happen the previous day, but then the next day, three hours after the agent discussed Pirates, Sundowns was there.
“Then I became confused. When Sundowns came, they wanted it more.
“Pirates were just interested and didn’t really show it all with their interest,” 34-year-old continued.
“You must understand that in football, you must make a player feel like you are desperate to have them.
“Players want to feel important. The agent told me Pirates wanted me, but Sundowns showed me that they will make me comfortable.
“Ultimately, I signed for Sundowns with an agent that I only met in South Africa. I didn’t know him before, but I was advised to listen to him.
“There were a lot of things that went wrong, but it is all in the past now. If I should choose a club in South Africa, it would be Sundowns again,” the one-time South African Champion concluded.
Uzoenyi played just eight games in the three years he spent at Mamelodi Sundowns. After joining the South African side, he never played for the Super Eagles again.
He returned to the NPFL in 2020, before hanging up his boots three years later.
