One on One with the Eagles

  ‘We are determined’--Austin Okocha

Question: What is the feeling now in camp after the victory against South Africa?

Answer: We are on course and I can assure that we can only get better with every game; all the players I can confess to you have a common goal, and that is to win the cup for Nigeria.

Q: How do you feel scoring the 1000th goal of the Competition?

Jay Jay: I was not even thinking of the record in the first place cos I knew nothing about it, all I had in mind was to see a Nigerian victory not until I was called aside did I get to know about the goal and it’s impact.

 Q: We heard that the decamped players are to be recalled after the Benin game?

Jay Jay: I think that was exactly what the Sports Minister said after I appealed on their behalf but as it is we are in the dark about the whole scenario cos we don’t get to talk about it. It will be nice to have them back in the team but if I were to be in their shoes I see no reason why I should come back to a team I was expelled from, it doesn’t make sense doing that.

Q: What Should Nigerians expect from our last group game on Wednesday?

Jay Jay: (smiling) I want to say that we are going to take the game like a final game and we are not underestimating our opponent for it took them a great deal making it to this stage and we respect them but the goal is to make the best of the game and achieve the maximum point.

We at www.nigerisports.com wish you all the best in the competition

Jay Jay: Thank you and we appreciate the support and prayers of everyone.

  ‘I am not Oliseh’--Seyi Olofinjana

Nigeriasports.com: Seyi, congratulations on yesterday’s victory

Seyi: Thank you very much.

Question: Everyone is comparing you with former Super Eagles skipper Sunday Oliseh, what’s your to that?

Seyi: First and foremost I am not Sunday Oliseh, but Seyi Olofinjana and that’s the fact. Though it is feels good to be compared to such a great player but I can only be me and live as me.

Q: What is the secret behind your creative play?

Seyi: I think it has to do with God and my endless effort to be one of the best midfielders and I think God has been wonderful to me in all fronts; the hype is not what I need for I am still improving by the day and till will keep doing my best till our goals are achieved.

Q: What’s the goal of Seyi Olofinjana here in Tunisia 2004?

Seyi: Definitely to win for Nigeria and to put smiles back on the faces of the millions of Nigerians that supports and pray for us in many languages and my personal goal is to contribute my quota positively and I think with God and hard work we are going to achieve that.

Q: You were rumoured to have signed a new deal with a German club, how true is it?

Seyi: Not at all, I am still in Norway, though there are offers and I can’t reveal where they are coming from but for now am loyal to my club and that I can honestly say to you but anything can happen at anytime but surely you’ll get to know about it.

All the best is what we wish you.

Seyi: Thank you for your kind gestures and God be with you my brother.

    ‘I am still myself’---Joseph Yobo

Question: How do you feel scoring your first nations cup goal?
 
Yobo: Am still Joseph Yobo and the goal has changed nothing at all, I feel good getting that goal but was not carried away afterwards.

Question: A lot of people say you hold on to the ball for long and being a defender it’s dangerous and unnecessary.

Yobo: (laughing) I have always played that way and it goes to show that apprehension is not a part of the game; I understand their reaction but thank God am improving everyday in terms of confidence and maturity.

Question: What is your goal as we look forward to the game against Benin?

Yobo: Same dedication and drive that the three points are very important. We are not folding our minds thinking we are in the next round yet; we have our eyes on winning the cup for Nigeria.

        ‘I feel elated’---Osaze Odemwingie
 
Question: From the bench and getting a brace in your first nations cup game must have changed a lot of things in your life?

Osaze Odemwingie: You are right, but not carried away and instead would love to get better by the day cos God has ordained a moment for everyone and I think that was my day.

Question: How do you feel when Kanu referred to you as the new star minutes after the game?

Osaze: I was shocked and lost cos I don’t think I deserve such accolades but I will accept that as a compliment and instead improve with every given opportunity.

Question: You had a tough start on the field I noticed?

Osaze: You noticed me ehn? That was absolutely right and it was evident when I made an erratic first pass and running into Jay Jay the second time, but all that changed when I looked around and realised I was playing with the bigger boys of Nigerian football and must show my class and my first goal erased all fears.

Question: And the second?

Osaze: Extra ordinary feelings engulfed me and I was excited seeing Nigerians smiling again, I am grateful to God for using me in such a positive way.

Question: What should Nigerians expect from Osaze?

Osaze: The best and nothing else, am committed to do my best at my own time to the glory of God and the determination to succeed too is burning inside my heart.

       ‘The coach knows better’- -Ikedia

Question: Everyone refer to you as the last minute man, how do you feel about that?

Ikedia: I think the coach knows better than everyone and I can only play only when am asked to and what I am asked to.

Question: Personally, don’t you feel you should get a starting shirt?

Ikedia: Sure, every player would love that but like I said earlier the coach prefers to use me when he feels and I want to believe it is technical and there’s no hard feeling to that.

Question: What is the dream of Pius Ikedia?

Ikedia: Obviously, to win with the Super Eagles of Nigeria and I think it’s possible with our determination.

Question: Do you see Nigeria being crowned as champion of the continent?

Ikedia: It is still early days but with the commitment and determination of this team it is not an impossible task.

               ‘The goals will come when it will’--Utaka

Question: Even the South Africans admitted you had a good game, do you prefer that to scoring in the game?

John Utaka: It’s a team work, ofcos I’d like to score if the chances comes bit we have to focus on the collective part. I am not under pressure to score and I want to believe the goal will come at a time God says it will come, and the game I must confess had a great significance for me and thank God we won.

Question: You are so quiet and down to earth, what is the secret?

Utaka: Am only being myself and nothing more to it, life is nothing and I just take things the way it comes.

Question: Anything you would have loved to change in life?

Utaka: Nothing at all cos all the things that happens to a man in life is from God and as a player whom God is using to carry a nation’s flag I don’t want to let anyone down, am just being me…John Chukwudi Utaka.

I wish you the very best life has to offer.

Utaka: I wish you the same too.