Mother of Super Eagles defender reflects on Samuel-Osayi’s career …I almost threw away his future

Mrs Samuel (2nd left), Bright (right)

Mrs Oredola Samuel, mother of Super Eagles and Fenerbahce defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, on Tuesday, went down memory lane, reflecting on how she almost truncated Bright’s football career.

Looking back, she said she almost stopped young Bright from going for practices because of his late home coming.

The Okitipupa, Ondo state-born woman related this to journalists in Benin, shortly before the 3rd place match of the 2nd edition of Bright Osayi U-13 Football Tournament.

She recounted how she poured water on her son on several occasions for staying late at football practices.

She said: “When he as was small, between the age of 10 and 13, he used to playing football, although he did not go to a football academy.

“Mind you, I was not against his playing football, but his coming home late was what I did not like. That was my problem with him. So, I told him to stop coming home late, but, the more I threatened him, the more he continued.

“Several times I took a bucket of water and poured it on him and would throw away his football. But, he kept going.

“One thing is that he has energy to play football. So, on a particular day, as usual, I took the football from him and threw it away. His response was, ‘Mummy, you just threw away my future’.

“That night, I went to my bed, but I could not sleep, because he had never spoken to me that way, that I threw away his future.

“Around 3 am, I went outside and took the ball to him inside the house and I said to him, ‘look, I have brought your future for you.”

Mrs. Samuel said she was happy with the achievements of the Nigerian international and that she took the right step that night.

“I am very happy with his achievements in football, he is making me proud. Where people think I am nobody, because of him, they now see me as somebody, all because I did not throw away his destiny that day.

“Imagine if I had left that ball outside that day, maybe I would not have been here today. I am now enjoying that future with him,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel has expressed optimism that Nigeria still stands a good chance to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite a shaky start to the qualifiers.

He said the team remained confident and fully aligned with the vision of head coach, Eric Chelle.

“I still think we can qualify. The aim is just to win every single game. We believe in our team. Of course, it will be difficult, but for us and the team, I think we have a good chance,” he said.

While noting that the team currently face an uphill task in Group C, the dependable defender however insisted that the right mentality and collective belief could turn things around.

Osayi-Samuel who pointed to Super Eagles’ recent performance against a strong opponent as evidence of progress, described Chelle as a fantastic coach, whom he said was at home with his philosophy.