Super Eagles and Coventry City midfielder Frank Onyeka has opened up on the difficult circumstances that shaped his rise in football, revealing that his mother initially opposed his decision to pursue the sport.
Onyeka, 28, said his mother wanted him to focus on his education and was often unhappy whenever she saw him playing football as a child.
However, her stance eventually changed, and she went on to play a pivotal role in supporting his dream.
“My mum didn’t want me to play football. She was always upset when she saw us playing because she wanted me to study,” Onyeka told the Coventry Telegraph.
“But at some point, she decided to let me do what I wanted and bought me my first pair of boots.”
The Nigerian midfielder, who currently plays for Coventry City on loan, left the country as a teenager to join Danish outfit FC Midtjylland, a move that marked the turning point in his professional career.
He later featured for Brentford FC and had a loan spell with FC Augsburg before his current stint in the English Championship.
One of five children, Onyeka grew up in a hardworking household.
He recalled how his mother became the family’s backbone after his father lost his job, running a clothing business to keep the family afloat.
“It was quite a difficult period. When I was 16, I did a bit of roof work because, in Africa, you have to do something to help the family,” he said.
His perseverance paid off when he got the opportunity to join FC Ebedei, setting him firmly on the path to professional football.
Reflecting on his journey, Onyeka expressed pride in how far he has come.
“It wasn’t easy, but looking back, I’m really proud of my journey and where I am today,” he added.
His mother, once sceptical, has since become one of his strongest supporters.
“She’s really happy now. She prays for me every single day and is so proud to see me play at the highest level and represent Nigeria,” Onyeka said.
Onyeka has represented the Super Eagles at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, winning a bronze and a silver medal, further cementing his status as one of Nigeria’s dependable midfielders.
