In Stellenbosch’s fairytale run to the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals, one name kept showing up in the starting XI with quiet consistency: Enyinnaya Kazie Godswill.
The 26-year-old Nigerian right-back didn’t just join the South African side to fill a squad number; he came to make a difference, and he did.
“Last season was a good one, but this new season, I want to do better than I did. I want to go to greater heights.” Kazie tells Athletic NG in an exclusive interview.
Making His Mark in South Africa
Godswill arrived at Stellenbosch in 2024 after four standout seasons with Rivers United in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), where he made over 160 appearances and helped the Port Harcourt-based club to their historic first league title in the 2021/22 season.
Kazie, alongside the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, during the NPFL title presentation.Photo Credit: X
In his debut PSL campaign, he featured in 29 matches across all competitions, delivering two assists. He made the league matchday squad 20 times, starting 16 matches and coming off the bench three times.
But it was on the continental stage where he truly shone.
Godswill started seven matches in Stellenbosch’s CAF Confederation Cup journey, including the unforgettable quarter-final victory over Egyptian giants Zamalek in Cairo, and came off the bench twice more.
“That game in Cairo. It’s one I’ll never forget,” he says. “We went there with belief, we played as a team, and we shocked them. For South African football, and me personally, it was a big moment.”
Enyinnaya Kazie against Zamalek. Photo Credit: X
From Obingwa to Enugu: The Early Days
Godswill’s football journey began in Akpaa-Mbato Autonomous Community, a quiet village in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State. That’s where the dream took shape — fuelled not just by ambition, but by sacrifice.
“Yeah, I started my career in my village,” he recalls. “My parents were very supportive. It got to a point where they were the ones buying my soccer boots.
Even my elder brother helped; he used to get me boots too. That meant a lot.”
From Obingwa, he moved to Enugu to join grassroots club Vemard Africa FC. He started as a winger until a Dutch coach named Luis, then managing his NLO team, saw a different path for him.
“He wanted to play a 3-5-2 system. He called me, sat me down, and explained how he wanted me to operate as a wing-back. That’s how my journey as a defender began.”
Kazie. Photo Credit: X
The switch worked. Godswill caught the eye of football administrator Chidi Emmanuel, who facilitated his move to Delta Force.
But the excitement of his first NNL season was short-lived; he played a few games before an elbow injury sidelined him.
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He stepped away to recover, but returned the following season, just as Delta Force secured a top-flight spot by buying Kada City’s NPFL license.
Later, the Delta Force slot was sold to Kwara United, and Godswill was one of just three players retained out of 20 after the new club slashed its squad.
He played for Kwara United for just about a month, but it was a turning point. Coach Stanley Eguma of Rivers United had earlier expressed interest in signing him, but Godswill declined, promising to join after the midseason.
“When he came again, he shared the club’s ambition and told me the role he had planned for me. He reposed so much faith in me, and I bought into the vision.”
Kazie and his Rivers United teammates celebrate with Coach Stanley Eguma. Photo Credit: X
That leap of faith proved to be a career-defining decision. He became a defensive mainstay in Eguma’s team, featuring in over 160 games and lifting the 2021/22 NPFL title.
“That move was key to chasing my dream of playing outside Nigeria,” he reflects. “Now that I’m outside Nigeria, I’m still working extremely hard because I want to move to an even bigger club.”
A Kyle Walker Devotee
In Godswill’s play, echoes of England international Kyle Walker are evident, and that’s no coincidence.
“I so much love Kyle Walker,” he says, grinning. “The way he defends, the way he attacks, the way he supports his team — I study him a lot. That’s the pattern I try to model my game after.”
Stellenbosch fans are beginning to see the similarities: electric pace, intelligent positioning, and relentless work ethic all in a humble Nigerian frame.
Adapting to a New Football Culture
Transitioning from the NPFL to the PSL came with challenges, but Godswill approached them like he always has: by learning and adapting.
“The PSL plays fast football. Very tactical,” he says. “It’s far different from the NPFL. Here, they have game plans, structure the way they take care of players is on another level.”
Initially, he was an observer.
“I sat in the stands for the first few weeks. During training, the coach would call me, show me how they do things here. Gradually, I started understanding how they approach games.”
Godswill Enyinnaya of Stellenbosch FC before the Betway Premiership 2024/25 match between Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch FC. Photo Credit: BackpagePix
Off the pitch, he’s adapted just as smoothly, finding comfort in familiar meals and support from fellow Nigerians.
“Yeah, just rice and spaghetti — that’s my favourite,” he laughs. “It’s easy to get here. But when I miss Nigerian food, I just call a woman here.”
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He also credits Nigerian national team goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, whom he ran into during a PSL fixture, for offering timely encouragement.
“We had a chat. I told him some of the challenges I was facing, and he encouraged me. The words he told me lifted my spirit.”
Kazie and Nwabali. Photo Credit: X
The Journey Continues
As the 2025/26 season looms, Godswill is not resting on his laurels. He wants more growth, more exposure, and a return to the Super Eagles.
Kazie during the CHAN qualifiers for Nigeria. Photo Credit: X
“The dream is still alive,” he says. “I’ve been called up before against Mexico in the US. I also played in the CHAN qualifiers. But I want to break into the Super Eagles properly. I’m working hard, and I believe it’ll happen.”
