Eagles, tells JOHNNY EDWARD that he will work hard to justify his invitation.
First, I will like to congratulate you on your invitation to the Super Eagles. This must be one of your exciting moments as a footballer?
Absolutely, I feel great because to be counted among the 15 professionals to represent Nigeria against Kenya in a World Cup qualifier shows that hard work pays and no matter how long it takes, you’ll definitely get to where you truly belong. I’m grateful for this opportunity the coach has given me and I’m ready to seize the very best of the minutes I could get to show my qualities in the team. The team is full of talented players who were on display at the Nations Cup, and I hope to add my qualities to the team.
Despite winning the Nations Cup in South Africa, the Super Eagles is said to be in transition under Stephen Keshi, do you think the senior national team can soar higher under him with his over-reliance on young players?
Despite our short-comings in recent times and now our rise again, Nigeria still rank among the favourites going into any qualifying game and hopefully, we will qualify for the 2014 World Cup. There are only few other countries ahead of us on the world stage. We know what we’ve got to do and we’ve got what it takes to reach the very top. Our aim should be to do our very best to stay in the hunt right to the end. But there are no minnows anymore and it’s not always the favourite who wins. Our new status is helping us to climb back to the top and we need to be consistent each time we come up against any opposition.
How do you fancy Nigeria’s chances of making it from her World Cup group? Also with the Nations Cup triumph, what do you think this portends for the national team?
It’s going to be tough against teams such as Kenya, Namibia and Malawi. As African champions, teams would be eager to make the headlines against us but it’s down to the players to prove themselves when they get the chance to maintain our good run of form. Like I understand, the Eagles are yet to lose competitive game since the ‘Big Boss’ took charge over a year ago and we could at least maintain that form treating every game very seriously, from the first match on, and never underestimate any opponent. Going by our feat in South Africa alone, we are the clear favourites to top our group. I have to admit that the draw was good, especially when you see teams that will face each other in the other groups.
What’s your impression about the current Super Eagles under Stephen Keshi?
He is doing a great job as far as I’m concerned. Nobody gave the team a chance prior to the Nations Cup but imagine the kind of redemption he has brought to our football. I think he has done well so far. We currently top our group in the World Cup qualifiers and I believe if he gets the needed commitment from the players invited to prosecute the remaining games and support from everybody involved, that won’t only make his job easy but will also boost our chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
What target have you set for yourself this season?
I hope to get some goals in the games for my team Academica and hope to do well in my debut for the Super Eagles and hopefully stake a claim in upcoming fixtures for the senior national team. We have a very experienced and great manager who knows how the players react and how to get the best out of them. I think that’s important especially in modern football. His mentality for the game, his commitment and desire are obviously things that the players try and take on themselves. For me, he’s been brilliant for the Super Eagles and from what I’ve gathered; he’s a great leader for our team.
At the moment, the Super Eagles have a lot of options in your role as a midfielder, how would you describe a quality midfielder?
The modern day midfielder must have almost everything. He needs to be able to defend and direct other players around him. Good passing and tackling are just as important as an ability to switch into attack mode. The perfect midfielder is a mix of all those things and I think I have that well enough to cope along with the array of stars in the Eagles. The fact that I’ll be playing alongside Chelsea’s John Mikel Obi whose success for both club and country has been a source of motivation to me would help me a lot. Regardless of CAF choice of Jonathan Pitropa as the MVP of the 2013 Nations Cup, Mikel was the Eagles engine room in midfield and deserved to take that award.
You’ll face some stiff competition for a berth in Stephen Keshi’s starting line-up for the forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Kenya with the likes of Mikel, Onazi, Mba and the rest in good run of form– what do you think you can offer that others don’t have?
I don’t observe other players like that, I just concentrate on my own game and as far as I’m concerned, any player that does well in the training camp will deserve to get the nod to play in games. I’ll just take that mentality there and stay positive. The coach has stated that only an active players will be considered and I’m a regular for my team here and that’s a step in the right direction.
Growing up… who were your heroes?
I love to watch Yaya Toure and Mikel a lot. Toure’s movement on the ball pushes his team forward from midfield and Mikel’s ability to control the game to the tempo which suits his team is always awesome to watch. Also Xavi Hernandez’s flair and ability on the ball is frightful to defenders not- forgetting Elderson Echijeile; he’s always been there when needed him for guidance and support here in Portugal.
Highlights of your young career so far?
Getting a call-up to play for my national team and also joining Uniao De Leiria last season, after a long spell out of football and playing games as well as scoring vital goals for my team until they went into administration in my debut season in Portugal will live with me for a long time.
On a final note, how would you rate the performance of Nigerians in Portugal?
Nigerians have a way of making their own mark wherever they find themselves and I’m proud to be one of the players who ply their trades here in Portugal. The likes of Elderson Echiejile, I and Emenike Agu in Porto have shown that Nigerians can adapt to any playing pattern. I would rate them 7/10 considering the fact that teams here give more chances to their home-grown talents. However, the mere fact that we just want to play drives us to some leagues that don’t really suit our style.
So which league do you think suits you well?
Well… I love to play in Germany, Italy or Spain.
0 comments:
Post a Comment