Former Orlando Pirates trainee, Wisdom Onwusonye, is one of the top stars in the fast-rising Mauritian league. The versatile forward tells ’TANA AIYEJINA in this interview about his sojourn in the Indian Ocean Island and his plans to play in Europe soon
How are you doing in Mauritius?
I am doing good and I thank God for everything that has happened over here. I am happy my club La Cure Sylvester have been doing well since we gained promotion to the Premier League.
How would you describe the season so far?
Last season was great for me, although there were lots of challenges along the line. But everything went well. We just started a new season and everything is going on well by God’s grace.
From the second division, you helped your team reach the Premier League. How were you able to do that?
It was a big dream for me. Firstly I give thanks to God, who made it possible. It wasn’t easy for me at the beginning when I joined the team. But I was determined and I believed in myself. With hard work and prayers, I was able to achieve that, although the team had been in the second division for over 10 years. However, the story has changed today. I and my teammates, the coaching crew and the management did our best to get the team the promotion ticket. And we were able to gain promotion to the second division in the 2012/13 season. We were again promoted to the first division championship in the 2013/14 championship. Today, we are in the Premier League by God’s grace.
You were a trainee with South African giants Orlando Pirates at a point. Why did you not continue with them?
Yes, I had a great time at Pirates but I could not continue with them because my agent was very busy at the time, trying to secure a better offer for me with other clubs and the season was almost done. So, I had to move to Mauritius to continue my football. I just had to move.
Do you still hope to play for Pirates one day?
Of course yes and I hope and believe one day, it will come to pass. Pirates are a big side in South Africa and they do well in both continental and domestic league competitions. So I believe that one day, if I get the opportunity, I will give my best to the club.
How would you compare football in Mauritius to other African countries?
Football in South Africa is more professional, and it is well equipped with good facilities. It is also more developed, with a very high standard comparable to what you have in Europe. However, Mauritius is still growing in terms of professional football. Although football here is becoming more competitive than before because more foreign players are coming from different parts of the world to add value to the league. And there are foreign investors too.
Do you have other Nigerian footballers also playing in Mauritius?
There are a few other Nigeria footballers playing in the Premier League here. They are all in my team. We have four Nigerian players and one Madagascar international in our squad.
How are the other Nigerian players in your team doing?
The other three guys are going great for themselves and also doing very well for the team. Two of them are strikers: Moses Ogbologwu and Edia Isaac. Moses recently signed for La Cure Sylvester while Isaac has been with the team right from the second division. The third one, Emmanuel Izuchukwu, is a central defender.
You have gradually risen to become one of the top stars in Mauritius. If they contact you to play for their national team, will you opt for them?
It is quite reasonable that when someone sees an opportunity like that, the person should maximise it. I will (play for them) because its a big honour to be invited to play for another country. It means they know that you can add value to their national team.
What are the challenges you have faced in Mauritius?
It takes the grace of God for you to adapt to whatever challenges one might be facing over here in Mauritius. I remember vividly when we were in the first division. The league had just started and I was looking forward to a great season but after two matches I was injured. It was an ankle problem that kept me out for two months. It was difficult for me to recover on time and there were a lot of expectations from me. Honestly, the pressure was very high for me because all I wanted was to be in good condition and return to play for the team. It was a trying time for me. But I take challenges as one of those things in life.
What is the attitude of the fans and Mauritius people towards you?
Most of the fans have been very encouraging. Doing what you know how to do best on the pitch gives them joy and reason to come to the stadium. Most of them that see me off the pitch always come around me to congratulate me and also have me and my teammates sign autographs for them.
La Cure Sylvester are new in the topflight, do you think you can gain qualify for any of the of the CAF continental competitions?
I believe that if I and my colleagues and the management work together, we can achieve that. In football, anything can happen. With determination, hard work and focus in the league, I believe we can go places. Honestly, it is definitely not going to be easy for us, gaining promotion to the top division and winning a continental ticket in our first season. But I believe we can do well even though we are new in the Premier League. Our mentality is to be focused and maintain our status in the league. What we should be looking at now is winning every game. If we can do that, then anything is possible.
Are you hoping to play in Europe very soon?
It’s the dream of every footballer to play in the leagues of Europe. I am looking forward to playing there too, by God’s grace. It is has always been one of the dreams I look forward to realising. I want to play international, not just in Africa alone. Hopefully after I make my mark in Africa, I can extend my career to Western Europe, Asia and America.
Who is your role model footballer and why?
It is the Brazilian Ronaldinho. Everything about his football gives me joy. He is my hero and a world-class player. He is a highly talented player that knows what do with the ball every minute. He is an amazing player. And it is my dream to achieve more than he has achieved in football.
What are your career aspirations?
I aspire to move higher and to become a global champion every were I go. I always want to remain on top of my career.
As a top football star in Mauritius, has it been easy handling the attention that comes the popularity, especially with women?
Sincerely, it has not been easy; people want to associate with you, especially when you are doing well. But when you are not doing well or things are not going on fine with you, they see you as nobody. But that is life for you. As for the girls here, everybody wants to associate with a star. When they see you on TV or read about you in the papers, they are happy. For me, I hardy move out. I treasure my privacy, so I don’t have any problem here.
What are your best and worst moments so far as a footballer?
My best moments are when I am on the pitch, seeing myself playing and scoring goals. I feel good watching myself play. But my worst times are when I am not playing. Another sad moment for me is when I am down with injury.
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