Varese winger Nnamdi Oduamadi tells JOHNNY EDWARD that he is ready to shine for the African champions against Kenya
You haven’t really replicated your Olympic team form for the Super Eagles in the national team Odu, what does this recall mean to you as a player who must make an impression in this AFCON winning side?
It means a lot to me I must confess because the last time I had the chance, I got injured and missed out on a chance to make the AFCON squad. I’m glad to be back in the team and to prove once again that I have enough quality to add to this team that lifted the Nations Cup a third time. I’m eager to maintain my spot in the team but it’s down to the coach on the final XI to start the game. I’m ready to play for my country again.
The team has grown in confidence and we’ve got more experience too- thanks to our triumph at the last Cup of Nations. Of course, there have been some changes in the players that won in South Africa and I’m happy to be back. One thing is sure, though; we’re better off now than we used to be. I believe we can qualify for the World Cup in Brazil but we must prove that with a win against Kenya on Saturday.
With the quality the Eagles can boast of at the moment, how do you fancy Nigeria chances against Kenya?
We have a great chance of getting the three-points to maintain our lead at the top of our group. We all know what winning the Nations Cup has done to our ego and to maintain that, we must not be complacent in our approach to the game. A win will not only be a delight for us but ensure we don’t start panicking when we face teams we feel we could easily win.
Is the pressure you feel in an Eagles shirt different to the pressure you felt wearing the shirt of your club?
It’s not the same. Life at a club is day to day. If you lose, you can make up for it three days later, whereas you only play from time to time with your national team. The margin of error is much smaller and as a result, the pressure is greater. It’s even more intense when you’re playing in an international tournament that only takes place every two years.
Your team Varese is currently fifth after their goalless draw away to Spezia. Do you think Varese can finish in the play-off spot and possibly gain promotion to the Serie A?
We have every chance to finish in the play-off spot provided we win our remaining 11 games which I consider are finals. And that’s my ambition at club level to help Varese gain promotion. We were unlucky not to have won away to Spezia because we had numerous chances to seal the game. We will keep working hard and hope we don’t derail from that spot.
We are not used to playing on the artificial pitch and personally for me it was a bit difficult, also partly because the field was wet before the wet match also made it difficult to control the ball. But overall I would say, that the draw was a good point won away from home Spezia played with a lot of caution.
The penalty was a missed chance but we must look ahead and think about other games ahead of us, starting from Wednesday, with Novara, who just won clearly 5-1 win against Croton. I feel sad I won’t be there for them tomorrow and the next game because I always want to give my best to the team which believes in me.
You have played on loan at Torino and now at Varese, aren’t you eager to fight for your place in the Milan squad; or are there any plans of moving away from Milan despite having one year left on your current Milan contract?
Well... that’s one thing I’d decide in the summer. Milan is keen to keep me beyond my final year but we just have to wait for that. I have gained lots of experience playing on loan and I believe that will help me a lot when I return to Milan in the summer. I had a lot of offers from Spain and Holland before I finally joined Varese but Milan has the final say on my future.
But don’t you think you have what it takes to play regularly for a side like Milan?
There were lots of factors that warranted that but I don’t want to go into details. I love where I am now and I’m there to help them succeed.
What are the club’s goals for the rest of the season?
The most important thing for us is to keep doing what we were doing well before the break. We want to stay in that same groove and be consistent in our performances, which is what we’ve been unable to do so far.
Although we had a good first half to the season, we need to build on that now, because we went into the break on the back of two draws. We need to keep the same consistency and attitude that we’ve had recently and if we do so, we’ll be even better.
Nigeria have always had very good individual players and now we’ve been compensated with the AFCON title. What do you think is still missing as you look towards to featuring at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Rio in June?
Continuity. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of rotation on the playing side, either because of injuries or other problems. In addition, we have had different coaches, one after the other. You need a some stability for things to work. Changes cause problems for any team. Continuity is key, so let’s support coach Keshi, he’ll deliver the 2014 World Cup ticket just like he won the Nations Cup.
Are you targeting a place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil?
Of course. When you’re a footballer, you always want to take part in a competition like that. I was unlucky not to have played at any level of competition for my country except in qualifiers. I’d like to experience that again before the end of my career. I can’t even imagine the joy it would bring to our people if we ‘re fortunate enough to qualify. We have a chance of going through and we’ll do everything to get there.
How much of the Kenyans do you know?
Not much as a player but I think we have enough quality to make them lose their sleep ahead of the tie in Calabar.
Thanks for your time Odu!
Ugbe also revealed on Monday that instead of Thursday, Governor Liyel Imoke will now receive the Africa Cup of Nations trophy on Wednesday during the state Executive Council Meeting in the state capital. The shift he revealed is as a result of the tight schedule of the governor this week, assuring however that Senator Imoke will be back in town on time for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier.
“The governor will receive the AFCON trophy on Wednesday during the state’s Executive Council meeting and make pronouncement during the occasion. The players and officials promised him the trophy during their last qualifier and they have delivered, it’s the turn of the governor to also tell them thank you,” Ugbe said on Monday.
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