I turned to comedy after failed U-17 trials – Funny Bone

Nigerian actor and comedian, Chibunna Stanley, popularly known as Funny Bone, talks about his ambition of becoming a footballer, his love for the Super Eagles and more in this interview with ABIODUN ADEWALE

What do you think people don’t know about you, especially when it comes to sports?

I am a football lover and a football enthusiast. I used to play because I wanted to play football, but that didn’t work out and now I play for fun and I also have a lot of friends playing football. So I love being around what I enjoy watching and what I love doing.

So you almost become a footballer?

I was born and bred in the north. I grew up in Kaduna and Jos. At a time Ambrose Vanzekin, Moses Adams, Efe Ambrose and co played together. I did what I could do at that time, I went for a few trials at the U-17 level, that didn’t work out so I left it and went to school and became a comedian chasing my destiny. Comedy for me has been there from day one. I do it naturally and for fun. So, when football didn’t work, I just followed destiny.

What U-17 set was that?

I was there when Godwin Izelien was the coach. It was the set that had Elderson Echiejile, Sunday Mba. I was in camp then.

What position did you play?

I was a left-back. I was more like Ben Iroha.

You must be the life of the camp then. Were you?

Yes, I was funny but when on the field I don’t joke. I can be very physical and you can never connect it with me being a comedian.

Where did this lover of football come from?

I grew up in a neighbourhood where football was a thing in Kaduna. Tijani Babangida, Garba Lawal, the Babayaros and Daniel Amokachi all lived around my street. So, seeing all of them, football was like a cult group, you need to be in it and if you were a boy then and you can’t play football, you would be tagged as a woman.

How long have you been supporting Chelsea?

Where I grew up in Kaduna, Celestine Babayaro used to live there as Celestine Iwuoha. Mrs. Iwuoha was the head of the fellowship my mother attended then. So, I got my first Chelsea jersey in 1997. Celestine came and shared for us so I became a Chelsea fan because of him.

Are you one of those who say Chelsea aren’t in the title race?

We are not in the title race. We are just winning every game and drawing every game. If we see the cup, we will say leave us, we don’t want to win it.

Who is your favourite player in Chelsea currently?

I will mention two, Moisés Caicedo and Marc Cucurella. I feel the most important players in Chelsea now are Cucurella and Caicedo. It’s their hard work, what they put into the game. Cucu is in a world of his own. As far as I’m concerned, Cucurella is the best left-back in the world now.

Did Mikel’s presence at Chelsea heighten your love?

Honestly speaking, I was happy when Mikel was at Chelsea, it was a good time, and he did what he could do. But I didn’t like the fact the club boxed him and didn’t let him explore his natural talent. Mikel would have done better as a Manchester United player and as a 10. This was a guy I saw play football, he was a special talent. Mikel was never a defensive midfielder, so making him play DM was boxing him and he didn’t express himself as a 10 that he was. I’m a Chelsea fan but I wasn’t happy Mikel played for Chelsea.

What are your fondest memories of Nigerian football?

That would be 1994 at the Nations Cup and World Cup. We used to have a song then that we composed with the name and jersey number of all the players. It was a special set and they did so well. They put Nigeria on the map.

Eagles failed to win the AFCON in Ivory Coast and our 2026 World Cup chance is hanging by a thread. Do you think we can make it?

I blame coach Peseiro for not winning that title. We just needed to touch up the final team a bit. Aina was tired, and Zaidu was tired. For my friends in the national team, a bulk of them might not play the World Cup again if we don’t qualify for the next one. If injury is fair to us and we have key players fit, we will gather the points and qualify.

How much do you know about the NPFL?

I stopped following the league because it lost its touch. Players don’t stay anymore. We forgot how Enyimba became back-to-back CAF Champions League winners. They signed all the best players from different clubs. Yaro Yaro from Kano Pillars, David Tyavkase from Lobi Stars, Ogbononya Okemiri from Iwauanayawu, Musa Mohammed from Gombe United, Vincent Enyeama from Akwa United and Dele Aiyenugba from Kwara United. They kept them for those two years and beyond. These days players don’t stay anymore. Top scorer of the league, two months later they’ve gone on trial.

Have you attended a live Enyimba game before?

I haven’t been there since those days. But I saw Sporting Lagos against Rangers last season. It was a good game.

If some of your colleagues are like you, who are the players that will be on your 5-aside?

I only know about two or three. I will have AY, Smash of Bracket, MI, Dj Neptune in goal and Praiz, I played with him in Kaduna then too.