Chittagong Abahani’s Nigerian hitman Eleta Kingsley is attracting all the headlines right now following his exploits in the just-concluded inaugural Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup. Up against Kolkata’s East Bengal in the grand finale last Friday at MA Aziz Stadium, Eleta bagged a brace and also set up Hemanta Vincent Biswas for the home side’s third goal to inspire Chittagong Abahani to the title.
After the clash, Eleta talked with the media where he expressed his elation upon leading the port-city outfit to their maiden title. Here are the excerpts:
What are your thoughts on your individual performance?
I tried to give my best. I believe if I go my way something would come out of the match. I took it match by match. I never get excited after a win because I know there is other match yet to win. So overall my performance, to me, is not so high because there are lots of tests to do. This tournament is a great learning point for me. If I learn well I will do better.
You are the highest goal-scorer of the tournament and was also named man of the match and the most valuable player. Did you expect to get so many accolades and awards?
I didn’t expect all the awards. I was not playing for man of the match. I was playing for my team to win. I believe when you play for your team to win and you get the result, that gives you an edge to be awarded.
Is this the best experience of your football career so far?
(Thinking for a moment) Yeah. I think it’s the best as far as I’m concerned. It’s best because it’s a great tournament. A lot of expectation. We tried to make name for ourselves. We tried to make name for our coach because I have always known him as great coach. I told him many times that if you take players from national team they will do better. They are all good players. I played under many coaches but this coach is special. The coach and the BFF (Bangladesh Football Federation) president [Kazi Salahuddin] gave us motivation to play such well. He told us before the final that it’s game between Bangladesh and India. Go and win for Bangladesh. So I think [Friday], everyone is happy, including my family.