Born in Kaduna, Ifeanyi Mathew was raised in Badawa, a ghetto-like suburb of Kano, Nigeria, where football seems like the only escape from poverty.
The residents there are blessed with talents for the beautiful game. Matthew played barefoot due to his love for the game despite the hot weather, which was about 45 degrees in the ancient city when he could not afford a pair of football boots.
At that time, his family's house was opposite Government Primary School, Badawa. So besides the school is a football pitch popularly called “Filin Samba” in Hausa language, which translates to Samba Field.
So the moment he left his compound, he walked straight onto the pitch, representing the Samba FC, his boyhood club, before he later joined Sardauna FC.
Matthew started playing football at a very tender age and had a dream of playing at the highest level which received the blessings of his parents.
Speaking to Wazobia’s Football Republik, Mathew said, “Immediately I stepped out of the house, I walked straight into the pitch. Football is the only thing I know, so I'm glad that my parents encouraged me to achieve my goals”.
Football Republik is a sports branch of Wazobia FM presented 100% in pidgin English - a grassroots language.
The 27-year-old was part of the national Under 17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) team that reached the final in Morocco in 2013. He was also part of the U-20 team that won a trophy at the AFCON U-20 tournament in Senegal in 2015 under Coach Manu Garba.
Mathew was also part of the U-20 team in the World Cup championship in 2015 in New Zealand, which featured the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi, and Isaac Success. Unfortunately, the team crashed in the round of 16.
He was also part of the home-based team at the CHAN tournament in Rwanda in 2016, which featured the likes of Ezekiel Bassey, Tunde Adeniji, Bright Onyedikachi, and Chisom Chikatara.
Matthew was also the match-winner in the CHAN warm-up match in 2016 when he fired home the only goal against Cote d’Ivoire just moments into the second half to cap a five-star display.
At the time, Mathew established himself in the starting XI for the CHAN when other more established players struggled for form and eventually played his way into the main Super Eagles as the then Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, picked him as his best player at the tournament in Rwanda.
“From CHAN, it is no secret that Ifeanyi Mathew was our best and most consistent player there. He is one of the players I am looking at for the Super Eagles,” disclosed Oliseh. I just hope he does not lose form or suffer any injury”.
Speaking about his time at the national teams at different levels, Matthew described his experience with all the national teams as “Unforgettable.”
The Imo State-born player started his senior career with FC Hearts, El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, before he moved to Kano Pillars FC in 2016.
In the summer of 2016, Matthew moved to the Norwegian first-division club Lillestrøm SK, where he scored 20 goals and 18 assists in 196 competitive games and won the Norwegian Cup in 2017.
During the second phase of the 2018/2019 season, the Nigerian U20 Africa Cup of Nations winner went on loan to Turkey’s Osmanlispor FK, now Ankaraspor, before returning to the Norwegian club and staying there until early 2023.
In February 2023, Mathew joined Swiss champions FC Zurich as a free agent on a contract till the summer of 2025.
At that time, FCZ head of sport Marinko Jurendic said Matthew was a consistent performer who would further stabilize his club.
“Ifeanyi has particularly impressed us with his consistently strong performances at Lillestrøm SK.
His strengths are not only positional play but also playing against the ball. In all previous positions, he has shown that he is a valuable team player who is willing to take on responsibility. With these skills, he should also further stabilize our team”, he remarked.
Mathew told Football Republik, “My experience in European football has been amazing. I started in Norway, which is like a gateway to European football.
I later left for Turkey, which was more competitive, and now, in Switzerland, it is a different ball game. So far, it has been a good experience”.
Known for scoring beautiful goals, the FCZ midfielder expressed optimism about winning the Swiss League at the end of the season.
“The Swiss league is competitive because we have good players there as well. We started the season strong, but then we lost focus. Trust me, I believe in the team, and I am confident of winning the league at the end of the season”, he said.
Mathew Backs Nigeria’s World Cup Dream
Mathew, a former CHAN Eagles midfielder known for his composure on the ball and unwavering optimism, has voiced his belief that Nigeria will secure a spot at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The former Kano Pillars FC star shared his confidence in the Super Eagles’ abilities and their chances in the qualification campaign.
“The current Super Eagles squad has the quality and depth to go all the way,” Mathew began, his tone full of conviction. “The players are not just talented; they’ve gained valuable experience competing in top leagues across Europe.
Despite being in 5th place with 3 points after playing four games in Group C, which includes Rwanda, South Africa, Benin, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, Mathew is confident that “the Super Eagles will book their place in the 2026 World Cup”.
“Qualifying for the World Cup is never easy,” he admitted. “The African qualifiers are always tough because every team gives their all.
But I’ve been watching the Super Eagles closely, and they’ve shown flashes of brilliance. Players like Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, and Ademola Lukman are game-changers. If they can stay fit and focused, I see no reason why Nigeria won’t be in the World Cup”.
The Super Eagles have had their ups and downs during the qualifiers, but Mathew believes the current coaching staff and team management have made significant strides.
“Coach Bruno Labbadia has brought a new level of discipline and tactical awareness to the team,” he noted. “It’s not just about individual brilliance anymore; it’s about teamwork and execution. That’s what wins games.”
Mathew, who broke through from the national youth ranks, stressed that “Helping the team, especially in the midfield, and providing the technical team with more options in that department will help the team win matches.”
The FC Zürich star retreated his desire to play for the senior national team, the Super Eagles.
The 27-year-old midfielder believed that he had something to offer the team, especially in the midfield, if he was given the chance by the team’s head coach.
“My dream is to play for the Super Eagles because it is a call to serve my fatherland,” he said.
Mathew is a fan of the English Premier League EPL side, Manchester City, while his role model is former Ivorian international and City's legend Yaya Toure.
“Yaya Toure is very strong and skillful; he hardly loses the ball. So I enjoyed watching him play, and I molded my game just like him,” he said.
However, his desire is to one day play in the Spanish La Liga, the top professional football league in Spain, due to their unique style of play.
Matthew, who tied the nuptial knot with his childhood girl, Grace Ifeanyi, in 2023, revealed that if he's not playing football, he enjoys “Being home with his wife.”
