Journalists, fans make, mar footballers, says Sam Sodje

Former Super Eagles defender, Sam Sodje says the media and sports fans play major roles in uplifting footballers to superstardom.

Sodje, who was born in Greenwich, England, played for the Super Eagles and spent over 15 years across major English clubs, including Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth FC, Leeds United, Watford FC and Reading FC.

Last week, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, named Sodje as a board member of the Delta Sports Commission.

Speaking with The Guardian, yesterday, Sodje said that the media and fans are crucial in uplifting footballers to the status of superstars across the globe.

“I want to state categorically that journalists and the fans play major roles in the life of every footballer. They (journalists and fans) make a player attain the status of a superstar. Throughout my football career in England, I never joked with the press and the fans. And since I retired from active football, I hold the journalists and fans in high esteem both in Nigeria and Europe. They made it possible for me to give my best whenever I was on the field of play.”

Sodje revealed that he would use his appointment as a board member of Delta Sports Commission to make a statement in Nigeria’s grassroots sports.

“The future of our sports is in the grassroots, and that will be my major focus, particularly in Delta State. Even when I was playing football, it has been my dream to create an avenue for the younger generation to be ready for life after sports. Now is the chance for me to teach them that embracing education is key. I am happy to be named among the board members of Delta Sports Commission. I thank the governor for giving me this chance, and I believe that the sky will be the limit for our sports.”

Sodje played alongside his brother, Efetobore (Bandana), who featured for the Super Eagles at the Korea/Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup.