Nigeria has been described as the hurb of female football in Africa and this have in several ways proved that to be true. Recently, Nigeria's 20year old Cynthia Uwak became the second Nigerian to be nominated by FIFA for the prestigeous FIFA Female footballer of the year award. In a chat with Nigeriasports.com at the on-going Africa Women Championship in Warri
the high flying CYNTHIA bared her mind on a lot of issues including the 5th AWC where Nigeria is defending the title they won for five times. Excerpts below.
Nigeriasports: From 2004, when you assisted the Super Falcons to win the 4th African Women crown in South Africa, you have been moving from one lofty height to another. Tell us about your nomination for the 2006 FIFA Women Player of the Year Award.
UWAK: It was the President of my club who broke the news to me and I was like "Wow, this is unbelievable, is this really true. It wasn't until when I went to the Internet that I saw it and I was like Great! Then people started making calls to congratulate me. Personally, this is a great move for me and it makes me feel so good .It tells me that I am doing something good in the game.
Nigeriasports: So how has this nomination impacted on your game?
UWAK: It has been a great source of motivation for me. It has made me to feel more confident about my abilities and also to look ahead to great heights. My aim now is always to do more than I am doing at the moment so that I can climb even higher in my profession.
Nigeriasports: You scored four goals for Nigeria and made some assists in Russia during the Under-20 Championship. How would you sum up your experience at that Championship.
UWAK: I had a great experience in Russia because having been part of the two previous editions, I had gathered enough experience and exposure so I was looking forward to having a great time and that was principally what happened. It is my background at the Championship that helped me to do what I did in Russia.
Nigeriasports: Despite your four goals, Nigeria still could not get past the quarter-final stage. How did you feel?
UWAK: I really didn't expect that we would leave at the quarter-final stage because we had the personnel to do the job of getting us to lift the trophy but when it happened, it was like a shock to me. But I have taken it in good faith.
Nigeriasports: Now you are back in the fray, hunting for goals at the 5th African Women Championship. Last time out you scored four goals in South Africa. What are your targets now?
UWAK: My targets are very many. I want the Super Falcons to retain the trophy as well.
Nigeriasports: How about personal targets, your kinswoman Perpetua Nkwocha last time emerged the Highest Goal Scorer and Most Valuable Player in South Africa. Think you can unseat her
UWAK : Ha, ha, ha.....I think so,yeah I think I can contest for the two Awards.
Nigeriasports: You are plying your trade in Finland with Pietarsari FC, how organized is the League over there
UWAK: Football in Finland is highly rated and they have some good facilities over there. The quality of the game is boosted by the presence of quality players. Some of them are playing in the Swedish National team and do make the first team. That is just to show you how good the League in Finland is. If the players can return home and make the National team squad, it goes to tell you that football in Finland has its appeal.
Nigeriasports: So, how is your club faring in the Finnish League and for you as a person, are the goals coming the way they should
UWAK: Yes, of course, the goals are coming, such that I was in contention for the Highest Goal Scorer Award this season but unfortunately I lost it because I scored 17 goals and the girl that topped the scorers chart had18. It was that close. I have always scored lots of goals for my Club and it has always been coming freely.
Nigeriasports: The African Women Championship will always have it's challenges for Nigeria. Personally, which are the countries that you think can stop the Super Falcons famous dominance?
UWAK: I don't think there's any country for now that can stop the Super Falcons. I say for now because in as much as these countries are improving, we are aspiring as well because we have a lot of good and experienced players who know what football is all about. So, in as much as they come, they are always putting us on our toes. They will always boast and say "we are going to beat Nigeria; we are going to take the Cup from them. That goes down well for us because if we had a hundred per cent preparations, we will be forced to take it to one hundred and twenty so that when they eventually meet us it's their waterloo,
Nigeriasports: So what is the big secret behind the Super Falcons' strength? What is it about the Nigerian team that makes the team so invincible in Africa?
UWAK : Ha, ha, ha.... I don't know o!, but I think God has made it that way for us. Every year we keep producing very talented players, our league is also one of the best in the world and we have Coaches who know how to deploy the players well. Besides, Nigerians, whether men or women, are just very passionate and blessed when it comes to the game of football.
With Chigozie Chwukwuletta in Warri
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