After having earned Bangladeshi citizenship in 2021, Eleta Kingsley became the country's first naturalised footballer to represent Bangladesh national football team as the Nigerian-born striker featured against Seychelles in a FIFA friendly match on Saturday. The morning after, Eleta spoke to The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman before training in Sylhet. Here are the excerpts of the conversation:
The Daily Star (DS): Did you have a sound sleep after your dream of donning the red and green jersey came true?
Eleta Kingsley (EK): I couldn't sleep because I had a lot to reflect on. Normally when you have beautiful moments, the next night is very difficult to sleep.
DS: How do you feel now after making the long-awaited debut?
EK: At last, I've done it! I'm very excited for this chance I got in the national team. The dream would have been completed had I taken my first [scoring] chance.
DS: Did you even dream of playing for the Nigeria national team when you started playing football?
EK: Yes, I dreamt. As a Nigerian, I had a chance to get in the national team but selection saw me out. I was upset and decided to go outside and play football.
DS: One of your dreams has been fulfilled, what's next?
EK: Scoring as many goals as possible for the national team is my next dream because [eventually] I want to sit back and count how many goals I scored for my country as a striker.
DS: Did you ever think about becoming a citizen of Bangladesh and to play for the national team after marrying a Bangladeshi?
EK: I never thought I was going to be Bangladeshi before 2015 even though I got married in 2012. However, when I won the Sheikh Kamal International Club Championship [for Chittagong Abahani], I took a flag of Bangladesh and ran around the ground to thank our fans. From that moment, my wife [Liza Jafar] was telling me how I wished it was real and that was how I started the journey.
DS: Were you nervous after being on the ground in debut and finding the first chance to score?
EK: Yesterday I was just unlucky because the ball bounced off the ground. I blame the pitch which has not been up to mark for international standard. I was a bit nervous because putting on a jersey for the first time and scoring a goal at the same time was too much load. But, if you ask me just to play, I score.
DS: How was the reaction from your family members, especially your mother in Nigeria?
EK: My wife and daughter have come here to watch my first match and fulfilled my dream. I spoke to my mom and brothers yesterday [Saturday] and everyone is happy.
DS: How challenging is it to play football at the age of 33?
EK: Yes, but in my case, I have to rely on experience. As long as the coach tells me I'm supporting the team on and off the ball, I think that's enough for me.
DS: Can Bangladesh expect something from the upcoming SAFF Championship with your inclusion after having been eliminated from the group stage in last five editions?
EK: In the first meeting I had with the coach, we talked a lot about SAFF Championship. We don't want just to play SAFF this time and qualify for the group, we want to become champions.
