Stanley Dimgba
The Nigerian forward was a shining light in an otherwise disappointing season for Stellenbosch FC.
“STELLIES ARE MORE PROFESSIONAL AND OF A BETTER STANDARD.”
Stellenbosch FC forward Stanley Dimgba has quietly gone about his business with the Cape Winelands outfit but has certainly impressed with seven goals and two assists in his first season. After arriving from Nigerian giants Enyimba, the 28-year-old opens up to KICK OFF’s Chad Kelly-Klate about his decision to come to South Africa as well as his transition and experience thus far.
KICK OFF: You have a few different names, why is that?
Stanley Dimbga: My name is Augustine Stanley Sopuruchi Dimgba. My family names are Augustine, which is from my grandfather, and then Sopuruchi, which is from my great-grandfather, but everyone knows me as Stanley.
What have you made of South Africa as a country with all of its diverse culture thus far?
South Africa is actually a great and beautiful place to live in, with its diverse culture, I must say I really do enjoy myself here. I love the music, the scenery, and the people’s lifestyles are quite suited to me. I really feel welcome here.
How have you enjoyed your stay at Stellenbosch this season – the club facilities, environment, teammates, technical and support staff, etc?
I have enjoyed my stay here, which has really made me settle well and it has enhanced my performance, because from day one I really felt welcome. Everyone from the club welcomed me well and I feel loved here, the facilities are top notch and of a very good standard; the environment is great, my teammates are really wonderful people both on and off the pitch, and the technical and support staff are highly professional, so without a doubt I believe this is where I ought to be and am very happy to be here.
What are your thoughts on the PSL and the level of football, and has it met your expectations?
Yes, it has met my expectations. The PSL for me is a very strong and competitive league, and the level is of a high standard. The officiating is also good. For me, it’s among the top three leagues in Africa. But what I feel can still improve is the competitiveness, like having many clubs challenging more for the league and cup titles.
Coming from Enyimba, what are the notable differences in the approach of the two clubs – Stellies being a relatively young club and Enyimba being more established and known in CAF inter-club competitions?
Enyimba is a great club, the best in Nigeria and one of the best in Africa. I did enjoy my stay there but the difference for me is, apart from Enyimba’s involvement in CAF competitions, Stellies are more professional and of a better standard.
What did it take to convince you to move to Stellenbosch and how did the process come about? Was it your desire to leave Enyimba and Nigeria?
Firstly, it was my agent Mr. Sherwin [Hendricks] who told me about Stellenbosch, and how good and how high the standard of the club is, with their professionalism and great facilities. I had to do some research about the club, because there were other offers too. So, I spoke with the coach [Steve Barker] and the general manager [Garth Le Roux], who made me aware that they need me and would love to work with me. All this helped me come to a decision to work with Stellies. Yes, it was my desire to leave Enyimba and Nigeria, even though Enyimba wanted me to renew my contract. I declined because
I felt I had really served them well and I had always wanted to take up a challenge abroad. So, I decided this was the right time to do so.
Were there any offers from Europe before you considered coming to the PSL? If so, do you believe you can still crack a move abroad?
Yes, there was one offer from Europe. I can’t reveal the club’s name, but it was a team from Albania, and I decided against joining them because I don’t know much about their league. Though I was told they do compete in European club tournaments, I felt like South Africa is best for me and my development as a player. That coupled with the way my agent, the coach [Barker] and GM [Le Roux] of
Stellenbosch spoke to me about South Africa, it made me feel like they needed me, unlike the other offers that came in. And, yes, I think it is very much possible [to still move abroad] but at the moment I am only focused on my job at Stellenbosch.
In your first season, you’ve managed to leave a fair impression; how has your performances measured against your own expectations of yourself?
Well, what I have done in my first season here is quite impressive, but I am yet to reach my own target for the season. The team needs to be safe [from relegation] and, after last season when I scored a total of 13 goals for Enyimba – 8 in the league and 5 in CAF, I was actually expecting to do better irrespective of playing in a new league or for a new club.
What are your ambitions for next season, and do you feel a lack of CAF interclub exposure is affecting your personal growth as a player?
Well, every player who loves taking up challenges would love to win trophies and face the best players and clubs in Africa, and
I am already used to that. Qualifying for CAF inter-club competitions with Stellies this season was one of my targets when I signed here, but next season we will come back even stronger, and we will hopefully achieve that. Of course, winning trophies as well will be great for the club and the fans.
“I LIKE TO GIVE MY BEST IN ANY ROLE I FIND MYSELF IN.”
You’re known as a winger in Nigeria, but you’ve also played as a striker under coach Steve Barker – which role do you feel brings the best out in you?
I am more of a versatile player. I can remember in some matches I also played as a midfielder for Enyimba, but I like to give my best in any role I find myself in because I think
that’s t what matters most for any player.
You’ve played for the home-based Super S Eagles before, how difficult is it to break b into the senior team and what do you y make of your selection chances for A AFCON?
Yes, it is very difficult to be selected for the n national team because most of the invited p players are ones playing for top clubs and in t top leagues across Europe. I can’t say [what m my chances are of making the AFCON squad] b but I think all I have to focus on is to keep on d doing well, and if am selected, I will honour it w with joy.
Do you think playing for teams like O Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs or Mamelodi S Sundowns would boost your chances of p playing for the national team?
Yes, I think so, because these are big teams, a and they compete in CAF. Kaizer Chiefs g goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has been called up many times and he plays for a big team. Like I said, I am more of a versatile player, so I can fit into any team and in any attacking position.
“DANIEL AKPEYI HAS BEEN CALLED UP MANY TIMES AND HE PLAYS FOR A BIG TEAM.”
To get to know a bit more about you, where exactly are you from and what was your childhood and upbringing like?
I am from Isiala-Ngwa LGA in Abia State, Nigeria. I was born into a Christian family, and I was raised alongside my six siblings. I am the third-born child of the family. I am married and currently have two kids. It was really tough growing up and I really thank God for the talent He gave me, and for my family who made many sacrifices for me to be able to play football and reach the level I am at today.
When did you start playing football and how did you end up in the professional ranks?
I started playing football at a very young age, though it was from street football. I was recruited into an academy in my hometown, called Megemo FA, and from there I went into the under-17 team before I then signed my first professional contract with Plateau United Football Club, who also play in the Nigerian Professional Football League. I then joined Kwara United in 2012 and spent two years with Warri Wolves from 2014, before I moved to Sunshine Stars for a year and then signed for Enyimba in 2017.
If not football, what would you have wanted to do as a career today and why?
I have a keen interest in the importation business, it’s another business I would love to be involved in as it is quite lucrative here in South Africa too. I’d love to be based here in Cape Town. In terms of what I’d like to import, I’d say like the importation of cars and car parts, but I also think fashion would do well too.
With football being such a short career – the average player retiring at 35 – are you currently active in any investments, and what do you see yourself doing after retirement?
I am currently involved in the transportation business, and after retirement I will be travelling, and hopefully I can also get involved in the importation business, like I said.