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Sunshine Stars left-back, Zikiye Jonathan has expressed his optimism that in due time, he would endear himself to the hearts of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club's fans.
AllNews reports that Zikiye joined Kano Pillars from Dolphins F.C. of Port Harcourt in 2016. Subsequently, he teamed up with MFM FC of Lagos - a year later, proceeding to become a treasure of the Agege-based side.
In August 2019, he transferred to the Akure Gunners alongside then-MFM teammates Chijioke Akuneto, Emiloju Julius, and Olatunde Abisoye.
In this exclusive interview with AllNews' Ridwan Yusuf, Zikiye talks about how he has been keeping in shape during NPFL shutdown; his transfer to Sunshine Stars last year; his stint with MFM and the NPFL's hiatus due to COVID-19.
Enjoy!
AllNews: How have you been keeping fit and preparing for possible resumption since COVID-19 disrupted sporting activities in the country?
Zikiye: Well, I have been fine healthwise. I do little exercises but not enough to say I'm fit because there has been no football for the past three months now.
.@FisayoDairo .@AkakemOnyekachi pic.twitter.com/poI182YfDQ
— zikiye jonathan (@zikiyejoe) June 19, 2020
AllNews: You signed for Sunshine Stars of Akure last year. Do you think that was the best decision for your progress as a footballer?
Zikiye: Yes, I would say it was the best at that moment compared to where I was coming from. Sunshine is a great club in the league with good players, coaches, and fans. The people there are very accomodating.
Tbt @MFMFC_Lagos great time with olukoya boiz thanks for the memories pic.twitter.com/2WAiuk8flp
— zikiye jonathan (@zikiyejoe) June 25, 2020
@MFMFC_Lagos thank you for the platform and memories pic.twitter.com/4VxlhoKEK6
— zikiye jonathan (@zikiyejoe) June 25, 2020
AllNews: You were a darling with the Agege fans during your time at MFM FC. How do the fans in Agege compare to the Ondo fans?
Zikiye: Yes MFM FC and the fans remain a family to me anytime. I love them. But my loyalty is for the Akure fans now, although I have not really given them what I gave MFM FC as I have only played 11 or 12 games for the Akure side this season. I did excellently well but with time, I would make them smile.
AllNews: Generally, What have you been up to during this time in the Nigerian league when there is no football?
Zikiye: I have been home all this period adhering to government instructions, and it afforded me time to bond with my family because you know as footballers we're hardly at home. Though it has been so boring for me as no football for over three months.
AllNews: You've been around on the home front for a significant period, and you are one of the best left-backs in the Nigerian league. Where do you see yourself in say five years time?
Zikiye: Yes, truly I have been in the league for a while now. It's been wonderful playing in the NPFL. I always allow God to take [sic] the decisions for me. So in the next five years, only God knows where I would be, because by now I thought I would have been in the big leagues in Europe but here I am still in the NPFL.
AllNews: Do you think the league should be restarted?
Zikiye: Well, that's not in my place to decide. You know as footballers, ours is to play the game once your employer calls. Staying at home without football doing nothing for over three months is not good for any active footballer. You see how most of the European players are struggling now in their leagues because of a long stay outside football. So we want to resume football back in the country but if it's going to put our health and life in danger, then we have to stay away from it till its safe.
AllNews: Do Sunshine Stars continue paying your wages/salary since football was stopped?
Zikiye: Yes, they have been at their best, reaching out to us (salary) during this period. As you know, these are trying times for everyone in the country, but they are doing their best to keep us financially.
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