You have lived and played your football in Nigeria before moving over to Tanzania recently. How has the transition been? How fast have you adjusted to life over there?
I have been adjusting very well. The people are generally very nice and accommodating and that has in many ways helped me to adjust to things and settle down.
And I guess some little difference between both countries for you here and there…
Yes, actually in those little things as food and power supply which is better here, but it is an entirely different setting for me and I am trying to adapt fast. I can also talk about the weather because it is colder here. Some places are very cold and others always warm.
What’s the outlook like in terms of foreign professionals? How many of you are foreigners in your team and of course in the league generally?
In my own team we are 10 foreign pros and most of them are top players as they play for their various national teams. I know that three of us were off for our national teams during the last FIFA Window.
If you are up to 10 there, what does the league rule say about the use and limits for foreigners?
I don’t know exactly the details of such rules here but I know that there are instances where about seven or eight of us have started a game. I don’t know the details though.
Now, when we look at the top 3 teams in Tanzania, your club Ihefu FC isn’t on that list. One may understand leaving your country for the top three, but as for Ihefu, what gave you the courage to leave Bendel Insurance to an unexplored team like this one in particular?
I got the courage because as a footballer, your mindset is about winning; it is a mental thing. That was the main push. I arrived at the club at the time they were deep in the relegation battle and it is really a new team and so it became an immediate fight. We do hope that we start on a better footing next season.
You joined them at a point when they were fighting to survive the season…
Yes…
So what have you pros been able to do for them?
It was exactly the immediate fight we took on.
What I want to know is how well have you been able to help them? Is the club out of the relegation zone now?
Yeah, we have about nine games left to go in the season and so every point matters. We are doing all that’s possible to get through the season.
The picture I’m getting is that you’re a little off that dangerous zone.
Yes, we are off the drop zone but not so high up.
Okay. Whatever pulled you out of Benin City past Lagos and Abuja and then all the way down to Dar es Salaam must be good. I guess the money is very good or at least very reasonable?
Yes, it’s very reasonable; very reasonable for a start…very reasonable.
I guess you don’t want to make the details public? Or would you?
Normal, I can’t make it public.
In recent times we have seen an upward move of Tanzanian football such that they are getting a lot of foreign pros for their league. What is helping them? What do you think is helping to market the Tanzanian league?
They have put down quite some money and I can see they are trying hard to develop their league in every way possible, especially in using the power of the television. Here in Tanzania they show almost all their games on TV; like 90% of the games.
In any case, they don’t play so many games on the same day, which may also be helping them for the televising. For instance, we can have three matches in one day then the rest of the fixtures for the period would give two matches per day and then perhaps just a game each of the next two days. So in a way we are busy everyday for their citizens; there’s always something to watch.
Let’s talk about your opportunity with the Super Eagles. Now, I noticed that while you were still in the Nigerian league there were a lot of talks and write ups especially from the media about the national team handlers giving you a shot with the Super Eagles but that didn’t happen. But you were called up after you started playing abroad. What do you think made the authorities to look in your direction? Some people think in the current setting you just have to play abroad whichever way to get noticed…
No, I don’t think so…
So why did you get noticed this time? What happened?
For me I think, it was my time; that was just it. I think it was my time because when I was in Nigeria I hoped it would come but it didn’t happen but I never relented. I kept working harder. The truth is when I got here, I had moved on; I was no longer thinking about it and was no longer expecting a call. I was truly surprised when I was invited for the games. From what I understand, back in Nigeria they had me in mind but they were just looking for the right time to call me, and I think the right time came now. It just got to my time.
You’ve played with the U23 Eagles experience before you were called for the Ghana and Mali friendly matches. What’s the difference between these two camps, stages?
It’s actually a different experience with the Super Eagles because here you are chilling with the big boys who have played this game for long and at every level you can think of. I thank God for it. There’s so much difference and I can say I have learnt quite a few new tricks which I’m putting in my games. It was a great outing and an unforgettable one for me.
I would like you to do a self assessment of your outing with the Super Eagles. Based on output in that outing, would you be expecting another call? Can you say you did show something good enough for the coaches to think about?
Based on my performance, I can say I did well and I am positive for another call. I say this based on the high caliber of players I had to compete against. Just as I said I was with the big boys and as I also said earlier I believe in timing. When it is my time I won’t be left out. I will keep working hard and doing all I can to be at my best. I hope to get another call up.
Tanzania is clearly a diving board for you; your eyes are definitely looking across to Europe. Which of the European leagues would you love to play? The EPL, Spanish league…
I can’t say for now as only God knows the decision and direction for now. Nobody knew I would be in Tanzania now and I never imagined that I would one day play in Tanzania. That’s the way it works. I will keep working hard and hoping that something comes up and that it comes up in a very good country where I can be with experienced players and improve myself. As a footballer you just need to keep your head up and do the work. I can’t say for now this is where I want or when I want to go. I will just keep working and believing.
Talk to us like a football fan now. Which of the leagues do you like most? The EPL, Italian…
I have always loved the Italian and the Spanish leagues. Yes! I love the Italian because of their aggressiveness and the Spanish because of their calm style in playing. I will go with those two first.
You don’t like ‘our' English Premier League?
I love the English League too but I simply placed them in my order of choice according to your question.
I have seen your pictures with your mom. I know she would have prayed and prayed for you when you said you were coming here. How is she taking it?
Every child wants to do well so that the parents can be happy and parents usually love that too. She was quite happy with the progress. It was a case of sadness and joy for me leaving them but I am cool now because I know that she is very happy with the progress I have made so far. I will keep working hard to make everyone around me happy.
