Nigerian striker Anthony Eviparker
is a household name in Malta after his heroics in the European country.
Now based in Germany, the footballer, who is also involved in kitting of
clubs, talks about his experiences as a footballer in this interview
with ’TANA AIYEJINA
Not much has been heard from you since you left Israeli side Maccabi Be’er Sheva. Are you still playing football?
Yes but not at the top level. At the moment I’m just playing in the Berzisliga; the 7th division in Germany
At 30, you are expected to be playing topflight football…
I’ll simply say I didn’t have the right
connection; football is all about the right connection and I never had
that. I didn’t have an agent who should have helped me get a big
club.
For instance, Yakubu Aiyegbeni is a very good player but he also has the
right agent, who helps him in sealing good deals across Europe and
Asia.
You were in Nigeria recently to kit a league side Bolowotan FC. Is that what you are into at the moment?
Yes. I want local clubs to start wearing
authentic jerseys. If we have nice and original jerseys, I think most
of the fans would be proud to wear them, and that’s what I’m bringing to
the country. Our players deserve the very best.
In what other areas do you think the league is lacking and what should be done?
I think it’s about time we turn our
footballers into celebrities; let’s upgrade their profile. For now, the
only thing I do is how to kit clubs and fans with real quality jerseys.
Our league has improved and we are on the right track. I feel as
citizens, whether home or abroad, we need to promote the league more and
more. It’s never too much. I think if we expose the monetary aspect of
the league, I mean the payment of the players, their transfer fees and
wages, it will give the fans something to talk about. And that will
generate more crowds. Another way to woo large crowds to match venues is
to link entertainment with the league games. For instance, if a top
artiste like Davido had entertained fans during the recent Lagos derby
between Ikorodu United and MFM, it would have generated more fans at the
venue.
Don’t you think if
overseas-based footballers like you come back home and retire in the
local league just like Brazilians do; it would help the league grow?
Sure it will but I’m not as popular as the Kanus or Okochas. Anyway I still intend to come home to play for Bolowotan FC.
You spent so many years playing in Malta. How would you describe your time there?
I would say I had a great time there.
Malta gave me the love of my life, so I should be grateful. I achieved a
lot while there. In the 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons, I won the top goal
scorer awards back-to-back. In 2008, I was named the best player for
the first division and top scorer, as well as helping my club,
Vittoriosa Stars, gain promotion to the topflight league. I’ll always
cherish my time in Malta. The place taught me a lot and turned me from a
boy to a man. Yes, Maltese football would do that to you.
What about your short time in Israel?
My time in Israel wasn’t too bad as
well. It was another experience in the two seasons I played at Maccabi
Beer Sheva and Maccabi Herzliya. I left because my wife was pregnant
with our first kid and she didn’t want us to raise our child in Israel.
Playing football in Israel was not bad at all.
African players complain of racism in Europe. Do you have personal experiences in the hands of racists?
Well that’s one area you can’t
eradicate; racism will always be there. While playing in Malta, I
experienced it even from my teammates. They will make you understand
that you are not part of them. My first secretary told me that it’s not
possible for them to take sides with a black man against a white person,
even if the black man was right. On the pitch I didn’t experience
racism but off it, I did a lot of times. Once I was in a bus going to
train and I was asked to come down because I scared the children in the
bus. I was also beaten and teased by two white guys in front of the
police and nothing happened. But I kept going because of my family back
home; I knew I must succeed and I had no choice. God was with me.
You were invited to the Flying Eagles in 2005 but you didn’t make the team to the U-20 World Cup in Holland…
I was excited when I got the invitation
to the team. I wouldn’t say I wasn’t good enough but there were so many
fine players in camp that period and everybody couldn’t make the squad. I
guess the coach ( Samson Siasia) selected those he felt were the best
for the team but I was happy when I got invited and will always be.
What are your best and worst moments as a footballer?
My best moment was when I gained
promotion with Vittoriosa Stars in Malta while my worst was when I could
not make the national U-20 team in 2005.
Who was your role model footballer while growing up?
It was the German striker Jürgen
Klinsmann; I used to loved the way he ran. He was a fantastic striker,
one of the best of his era. I respect him a lot.
You are married to a German. If your son plays football, which country do you want him to represent: Nigeria or Germany?
That would be his choice but I’ll love
him to represent Nigeria. And that’s why I’m working so hard to lay a
good foundation for him to be able to pick Nigeria over Germany
What’s your advice to young African players seeking greener pastures in Europe?
They have to be discipline and their mentality has to change, otherwise they will find it difficult to cope in Europe
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