Nigerian Flying Eagle Bernard Bulbwa stunned Senegal and astonished football fans worldwide with a legendary goal that won Nigeria the 19th edition of the CAF African U-20 Championship, a seventh continental title wrung from the host country. "Bernard Bulbwa's first-half goal was worthy of winning any championship as the 18-year-old flicked the ball over his head with a backheel and then volleyed the ball into the back of the net from outside the area," Fifa.com eulogizes.
The Flying Eagle's performance earned him the attention of various clubs, but Tunisian and African giants Espérance Sportive de Tunis secured a five-year deal with the international player.
E-S-Tunis.com approached Bernard Bulbwa for an interview and he kindly responded to our request and answered all our questions which touch on his new life in Blood and Gold.
E-S-Tunis.com: We are surprised not to see you with the squad for the next match. Is it a tactical choice or is it a problem to do with the presumably yet unpaid transfer fees to your previous Academy?
Bernard Bulbwa: It is rather the coach’s decision
- It is such a pity that regulations do not allow for more than 3 non-Tunisian players per team per match in Tunisia’s football league!
- It is good for the development of young Tunisian players, though.
- True. But it does not really help in continental competitions with teams that can field 11 non-local players, and have even more on the bench.
- Yeah, that is true.
- How is your integration in the team coming along?
- All is fine. My teammates are great; they are always playing with me, making jokes….
- Great. Did the presence of Samuel Emem Eduok help?
- Very well. He is such a great and nice person. He makes me feel at home.
- We have lost his efforts for this opening of the season, too; an injury that came at a bad moment.
- Yeah, that is true, but I believe there are better days ahead!
- Sure. It seems it has also affected his being called up to the Super Eagles again.
- Yeah, I think so.
- Do you think the frequent changes of coaches affected your performance and that of your teammates?
- No, I do not think so. The coaches are not just being changed for the sake of mere change; they are changed for the betterment of Espérance. A lot of players have just been together for the first time. I believe that with time we will understand ourselves and Espérance will have a very good strong team.
- What is your favourite position of play? Right winger?
- I can play as either a right or left winger, and even as a supporting attacker.
- Do you feel there is a lot of competition in all three?
- Yeah, there sure is. But that is what makes football interesting. Competition! There are a lot of good players in Espérance. You need to work hard to be able to play, which is very good.
- What are your goals for the short term and in the long run?
- Espérance is the first club of my life. Coming here was the choice I have made. My academy have never wanted me here, but here I am! I have only one goal here. My goal is to make fans happy. How can I do that? I need to score goals, give goals and try to help the team in the best way I can to enable the team to win.
- Espérance has had a long history with successful Nigerian players: Garba Lawal, Obinna Nwaneri, Julius Aghahowa… and most recently Michael Eneramo. All went on to play in European championships. What would be your favourite European League?
- The Spanish league
- ... and team?
- I do not have a particular team in mind.
- I was wondering which fans you were going to upset, Barcelona's or Real Madrid's (laughter)!
- (Laughter) I don't support any club in the world. I only watch good football. Barcelona and Madrid may be among the biggest in the world, but my team is Espérance and I love them more than any other team in the world!
- When did you first hear of Espérance?
- I heard of Espérance when they came up with an offer for me!
- Do you think you made the right choice by joining Espérance?
- Nobody knows the future; only God does. I am yet to find out where my choice may lead me. I am only praying to God to take control.
- We wish you the best of luck in this experience with Espérance!
- Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
- One funny question to conclude. Commenting on photos of matches and training sessions, Espérance fans often note that Bernard Bulbwa rarely, if ever, smiles or laughs (smiles). What answer or comment would you like us to pass on to those fans?
- (Laughter). Yeah, the question is funny. Tell the fans that I laugh a lot. It is just that I am a new player and could not understand what the coach or players are saying! How can I laugh when I do not understand? This is the reason why I am always quiet.
- We will; and we will also confirm as we have made you laugh at least twice (smiles)! Thank you very much indeed Bernard Bulbwa for your availability and for the answers to all the questions asked. We wish you the best of luck with Espérance and with the Nigerian Eagles.
- Thank you!
- It is our pleasure!