In the 2000 CAF Nations Cup and the 2002 FIFA World Cup hosted by Japan-Korea, there was a dogged defender who featured in Jersey number 18 for the Senior National Men Football “SUPER EAGLES” of Nigeria known widely for his trademark Green-White-Green bandana tied to his head.
If you were born before that era, then you will remember vividly that towering defender, his name is Efetobore Peter Sodje.
Sports247.ng caught up with the English born footballer who hails from Warri, Delta State in Nigeria, Sodje shared his experiences on how well his long spell in English Club Football before he finally hung his boots.
Efe Sodje played for a hosts of top Championship clubs in England from 1994 to 2015.
Sodje played for clubs like Stevenage Borough (1994-1997), Macclesfield Town (1997-1999) & (2013-2015), Luton Town j1999-2000), Colchester United (loan) (2000). Crewe Alexandria (2000-2003), Huddersfield Town (2003-2005), Yeovil Town (2005-2006), Southend United (Loan) (2006-2007), Gillingham (2007-2008), Bury (2008-2013) and Barrow (Loan) (2013). These feat recorded a total of 663 appearance with 44 goals for the defender.
For National duties, Sodje has played for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in 12 appearances and scoring 1 goal.
On the cancerous issue of racism in English Football, Sodje said, “I experience racism a lot in football when I came to England in 1994, I was called the ‘N’ word and Monkey. Remember I came from Warri so that never bothered me.”
“I made them pay for it when they get tackled or head butted from me. Racism still exists in football big time.”
On the aspect of the attitude of English Club Coaches towards him, Sodje said that on the positive attitude, “8 club coaches out of the 10 clubs he played for treated him well.
“They allowed me to do what I wanted to do, played to my strength (winning aerial battles, speed and tackling). They played the game around me which led to scoring about 40 goals in my football career in England. They knew that was my strength and they made sure every set pieces was played around me to make sure it will benefit me.*
On the negative attitude of Coaches toward him, Sodje said the 2 coaches tried to belittle and try to be a bully to me but I stood my ground by telling them “NO”, that to try bully me, you are wasting your time,”
“Yes, it affected them and also affected me but I won because I made sure they can never try to put me down. One of the coaches (Name withheld) I could remember came to the club as a new coach, he did not like me from day 1. The coach said to the club chairman that he wants me out of the club.
“He(Coach) gave the club chairman a list of 12 players that should leave the club. The Club Chairman looked at the list and saw my name was in the list. The Club Chairman said to the coach,” Listen, 11 players can go but Efe Sodje is not moving because I like him and he is staying. If you want to play him, it is up to you but for me, he (Sodje) is staying.”
Sodje advised Nigerian players in the Nigerian league to focus on themselves first and stop thinking about going out of the country to play.
He concluded by saying that,” If they (players) prepare their minds properly, play well and are talented. They will have the opportunity. But by having the opportunity is by getting the right people to watch them.”
