It has been ages now that Nigeria has always been the biggest exporter of footballers to Europe, and it was no doubt that Raphael Chukwu also wanted to do the same as he came through the ranks in the populous West African country.
After all, Chukwu did get a chance to train with the Super Eagles as a teenager in 1994 even though he ultimately wasn't selected for the squad that went to the World Cup finals that year.
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The Super Eagles coach at that time Clemens Westerhof had watched Chukwu banging in the domestic league playing for Lagos Rangers, Enyimba and Udoji United.
So, Westerhof knew about the rising forward and was no surprise when he ultimately convinced him to follow him to Sundowns after the Dutchman took over at the club in 1995.
"A few months into the job at Sundowns in 1995 Westerhof said I should come for trials," recalls Chukwu laughing loud.
"I was like but how can this man want me to come for trials at a club in Africa when he already knows me.
"I wasn't understanding at all.
"I felt it was a downgrade for me to go for trials, yet Westerhof kept on telling me that the club also wants to see me in person.
"So, I just told him that I'm not going to come there for trials because other players from my generation were going to European clubs with his help.
"In my mind, I just thought Africa is the same because I had been to some countries on the continent already and so I didn't imagine South Africa to be as beautiful as it was when I eventually came.
"Truth is that I didn't want to come to Sundowns for trials because I felt it was downgrading of me to go for trials with a team from Africa when my colleagues were going to Europe.
"Being the elder that he was, Westerhof spoke to me as a son and asked me to at least come and have a look at the place.
"The other five Nigerian players guys who included Albert Yobo (brother to Joseph Yobo) all came for trials but when I ultimately arrived, they had gone back to Nigeria.
"After a few weeks of talks Westerhof convinced me to come, so I just got on the plane to Johannesburg to see the place and when I landed at the airport I was surprised by the beauty.
"I couldn't believe that this is Africa.
"I then just told them that 'okay, let us talk about the contract' because I noticed how organised everything was here.
"Natasha (Tsichlas) referred to me as the stubborn one when I arrived, but I felt I was justified to delay because I felt I also needed to move to Europe," details Chukwu.
As is already known, Chukwu went on to earn legendary status at Sundowns scoring 63 goals in 124 starts that came through the four spells that he had.
In between his time at Sundowns, Chukwu played in Italy and Turkey where he unfortunately didn't enjoy as much success compared to his time at Sundowns.
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Chukwu didn't get to play under Westerhof because when he became available for selection in 1996, the Dutchman had been sacked.
His stay at Sundowns had its fair share of controversy as he protested after the club decided not to sell him to Sheffield United in 1997 and regularly got personal bonuses 'on the side' from club officials when he was banging goals.