'Hopefully my whole family are proud of me'

BBC News

25-05-2025

Sunderland striker Eliezer Mayenda hopes he made his family proud in helping the Black Cats win promotion to the Premier League. The 20-year-old scored a 76th minute equaliser in the Championship play-off final 2-1 victory against Sheffield United. He told BBC Radio Newcastle, "It was a really good time to score especially in that moment of the game. "After the first half, in the second half we were more confident with the ball. This goal was like a recompense about how we played in the second half, so yeah it was good."He added: "After the goal we said on the pitch, 'lads we have to keep pushing again, we can win the game.' After that we did it. Tommy was incredible. He was incredible in the second half. Tommy scored the second goal and everybody was really happy about that."Substitute Tommy Watson's winner was a poetic moment as he's set to leave Regis Le Bris' side this summer to join Brighton. The deal was announced before the season finished and some Sunderland supporters called for the academy product to not play another minute for the club. On the other hand, Mayenda has become a fan favourite. Chants of "Oi big man, what's your name?" were heard loud and proud around Trafalgar Square and Wembley this weekend. The Spaniard says he's happy to have repaid supporters: "Good. I'm very happy. It's good for the team, for the club, for everybody, for the fans. Yeah, I'm happy, very happy.""Very happy not just for me but for the fans again as well so I'm just very happy to get promotion.""We stayed confident during all the game. I think we did well today especially with the mentality. Team spirit was good today. I think the fans deserve it."Mayenda's family were in the stands at Wembley to see him become the third youngest goalscorer ever in a second division play-off final.He said: "Hopefully my whole family are proud."We're sure they are big man.Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.