Julius Kayode, is an ex Flying Eagles player, he was a member of the Nigeria '95 squad. He is currently plying his trade with FC Narcan of Baku in far away Azerberjan, he may be far away from home, but he has not forgotten his fatherland and is itching to lace his boots for the country, whenever he is called upon to do so. Kayode wrote to Nigeria's premier sports website, nigeriasports.com from his Arzebejan base. We bring to you ecxcepts of our exclusive interview conducted online. Enjoy...
What are you doing in Arzeberjan, do you still play football?
Yes, I am still playing active football. I playing for a club called FC Narcan of Baku in Azerberjan
Having played in Junior National team the Flying Eagles, I was getting dillusioned with the Nigeria football scene, you know poor management of players, lack of incentives and welfare, bad pitches and the Nigeria manager-agents for their greedyness and illegality of transfer, I refuse to let them play over me, because they were trying to use some illegallity on my transfer, they delayed me untill the season was almost getting to an end, I have to call it quits Nigeria football Agents and do something for myself.
I came to this country last year August through a friend Coach B Kennedy, he trains at Jalisco International Oshodi and Innocent Osigwe, they liked the way I play and behave and decided to help me develop my skills abroad, of course at this time as so with God intervention I came to the country last year August
How is life like in Arzerberjan?
This country is not easy because of the cold, language barriers and all that. It was part of the former Soviet Union bloc, but its economy is fast developing. I am also here now with a close friend Ola Ayenuga, Gabriel these guys are so good they like good players they use there money to buy ticket for player that are good. You see, I respect my country Nigeria for one thing, we have talents and I pray by the special grace of God the country will soon win the Senior World Cup, I say this because here in Azebajan Nigeria players are highly respected, and they see players like Kanu, Amokachi, Jay Jay Okocha and others as world class.
Are there other Nigeria players there? Are footballers well paid ?
There a lot of Nigeria players here,we have Lucky Idaho too playing for Inter Baku football club, he was brought by an Azerberjan agent. There are over 70 Nigerian players here. The facilities here are world class, but the money some of these players are paid is ridicules, because the so called Agent-Managers sell Nigeria players for peanuts, imagine a Nigeria player sold to division one club here for five hundred dollars international transfer certificate and no contract fess and only two hundred and fifty dollars monthly salary. Nigerian players are good but these greedy football agents are making them not to respect Nigerian again and I believe many of them are not FIFA nor NFA licensed managers, they are just people that are oppurtuned to know the country. In short I am here to complete my CV and move forward.
Your last club in Nigeria?
I played last for Nitel lagos before living the country, I also played for Rangers International of Enugu under Coach Christian Chukwu in he know my skills and I believe that when time comes he will invite me for the Super Eagles, I am not saying this because I am here since I am in Arzebejan that I deserve it, but I have made my mark in the junior team and those playing now in the senior team we started togethger. Still I believe God's time is the best.
What do you think of the NFA?
I would not like to comment on the NFA, you know it, that nothing really works there. But now we have my former coach Fanny Amun as the NFA SG, I am the happiest boy on earth, becuase this time there will be some real changes and progress at the glass house, and I mean it, because he is a very hard working man and he understands the politics of football.
Are married now?
No, I am not yet married
Any message to your fans?
Yes, if they are reading this interview, I would like to get in touch with my former mates at Nigeria '95 Gideon Imagudu, Olumide Haris, Duke Udi, Tosin Dosumu Ukechukwu Agali, Rabiu Bita, Joseph Yobo and Obodo chrisdtian they can contact me via my email address kayodejulius2000@yahoo.com I would also like to send my greetings to Coach Godwin Uwua, Alphosus Dike , Zacharey Baraje and to all the readers of nigeriasports.com. I must add here that you guys at nigeriasports.com are doing a wonderful job. Please keep it up.
Editor's note.
Nigeriasports.com is Nigeria's premier sports website. It attracts over 3 million viewers a month from more than 70 countries world-wide. It is rated top on the world acclaimed GOOGLE search engine for sports in Nigeria. Have you got a story for us? Do you know of any Nigeriasport man or woman who is doing well anywhere in the world you would like us to feature on the site? Simply email us editor@nigeriasports.com We will be glad to hear from you.
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