It came as a rude shock when Nigerian Julius Aghahowa renewed his contract with FC Shakhtar in the Ukrainian league after a career littered with injuries and heartaches but the former Benin Insurance and Esperance du Tunis star is looking forward to a glorious stay with Shaktar.
- Julius, we congratulate you on the prolongation of the contract with FC Shakhtar. Can you say a couple of words concerning this matter?
- I have nothing special to tell you. I had a contract with FC Shakhtar and I prolonged it for two years more till December 2007. I’ve been in Shakhtar for four years, so I feel at home here.
- It was quoted in the media that you wanted to transfer for a club in the West?
- As I’ve already said, FC Shakhtar has been my team for four years. A lot of things have changed since then. The team has progressed, evolved to the European clubs’ level. Besides after a talk with President Akhmetov, when he supported me in a difficult situation, it’s like a compensation on my side to prolong my contract.
- What can you say about your Head Coach Mr.Lucescu and today’s Shakhtar?
- Mr.Lucescu is a very good coach. He knows, what he wants. He strives to put Shakhtar on the European football map. He brings new top-players. I suppose, FC Shakhtar will be even stronger, but it needs time and good footballers.
- How do you see the Shakhtar chances in the ECL 2004/2005?
- FC Shakhtar has quite good chances today. We won over Celtic and I hope will repeat it in Scotland. We may qualify for the next stage or play in the UEFA Cup. I think, FC Shakhtar has only started its way to the European top.
- How did you overcome in the team the mishap vs FC Metalist?
- Football will be football. We were winning and nobody even mentioned it. But as soon as we lost, everyone started discussing it. But football is a game. Even stronger teams than FC Shakhtar lost to not so top-opponents in their domestic leagues.
- What are you aiming while playing for Shakhtar?
- FC Shakhtar always works for its level, the team plays in EuroCups. So, I aim to play in Europe, always getting better to keep up with the team level.
- What will you wish your fans?
- My fans have always been my principal support. I’ve always felt their encouragement. They stayed with me even at the hardest times. That’s why I’d like to wish them all the best. They should support not only me, but the whole team. Sometimes we, the players, can make mistakes, but we’re human,
so don’t judge us too severe.
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