Suswam: Soaring like a true Eagle
Even the fiercest critics of the NFF will agree that the emergence of Super Eagles Team B which is a conscientious effort by the Alhaji Sani Lulu led Executive Committee of the NFF is worthy of commendadtion. The good news is that the effort has led to the discovery of younger players who have shown […]
Even the fiercest critics of the NFF will agree that the emergence of Super Eagles Team B which is a conscientious effort by the Alhaji Sani Lulu led Executive Committee of the NFF is worthy of commendadtion. The good news is that the effort has led to the discovery of younger players who have shown the potentials to fill the existing vacancies in the senior national team.
One of such players who is a clear candidate for a shirt in senior national team now or in the nearest future is Lobi Stars teenage defender, Peter Terna Suswam. Like a bolt from the blues, he has stormed the Super Eagles Team camp and made himself an integral member of the team. It is therefore not a surprise that he has made the right full back position in the team his ‘personal property’.
Like any other gifted footballer, Suswam who hails from Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State was born on September 5 1991 in Kaduna State and started playing football at an early age.
He began club football with the defunct Securities and Exchange Commission Football Club of Abuja. From SEC, he moved to Wikki Tourists FC Bauchi where he spent two seasons before he was invited home to play for Lobi Stars football Club of Makurdi which is his current club. Immediately he joined Lobi Stars, his leadership qualities were noticed by the club’s management which appointed him the club’s assistant captain.
If his appointment as Lobi Stars assistant captain came to him as a surprise, his call up to the Super Eagles Team B was even more surprising as he confessed that in as much as he had his sight on the national team, it never occurred to him that at this time, he would be lacing his boots for Nigeria.
Well, even if he was not expecting such a break through so soon in his career, it has come and for the diminutive defender, there is no looking back. Having impressed handlers of the team, he is picked ahead of even more experienced defenders like Chibuzor Okonkwo. For many, this is a clear sign that he may not be part of South Africa 2010 but if he keeps doing well, he will be a sure candidate for the 2014 World Cup.
Suswam knows that it is not easy to remain on top of his game but is keen on staying focused for a place in the senior national team. “It was my dream to play for Nigeria but I did not expect it to happen so soon. I want to make maximum use of this opportunity. I am not going to look back till I play for my beloved country in the World Cup. I know Nigeria will qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and if God keeps me alive, I hope to be there to be there.
An incurable optimist, the defender was not featured in the international friendly against Congo Democratic Republic which would have been his debut for his country but he never panicked. A voice within kept assuring him that his day will come soon and when it does, there will be no stopping him.
Thus, against Menas of Niger Republic in Niamey, Super Eagles Team B did not impress as they lost 0-2 but Suswam showed enough quality to convince the team handlers to hand him another full 90 minutes in the return leg which ended 0-0.
Although he is happy that his dream of playing for Nigeria has come to pass, his greatest joy stems from the fact that home based players have finally been recognized. According to him, the domestic League is filled to the brim with even more quality players who deserve a chance to play for the Super Eagles.
Suswam’s confidence is not unfounded because in the days of Clemence Westerhof, from the local league the likes of Moses Kpakor, Thompson Oliha, Daniel Amokachie, Finidi George, Dahiru Sadi, Yisa Sofoluwe, Sunday Ebiogbe, Bright Omokaro and a host of others played for Nigeria.