Udeze speaks on career

Ifeanyi Udeze has been to two nations cup and featured at the last world cup in the Far East but the defender is optimistic of glorious moments in the colours of the Super Eagles of Nigeria and club football.

In an exclusive chat wit Nigeriasports.com he revisited Tunisia and speaks on his club and his future plans.

Nigeriasports.com: How is life with you after Tunisia 2004?

Udeze: We cannot live in the past but we can only learn from it. It’s tough to let it go off your memory but life certainly goes on.

Nigeriasports.com: I am sure you had some projections before the nation’s cup?

Udeze: I actually went there to win the trophy but it was not to be, but we should thank God. It was a successful nation’s cup and I won’t say a sad one. Since it happened like it did we can not question God? God knows everything and to me the bronze medal is a reward for our efforts.

Nigeriasports.com: How do you feel watching the first two games on the bench?

Udeze: It was sad but my heart was with the team that was one of the things that spurred me when I made a return against the Republic of Benin. It was not an easy game to play because the swoop us like angry bees despite faded chance of making the quarter finals.

Nigeriasports.com: What is your impression of the semi final game against Tunisia?

Udeze: It was not an easy game; we played against everything, the crowd, the referee against virtually everybody. I think we tried our best and my joy is that we didn’t lose normally but through penalty which could have gone either way.

Nigeriasports.com: What memory will live with you in that game?

Udeze: I think it will keep coming back that it was a game we didn’t deserve to lose and the best opportunity for me to win my first nations cup gold medal.

Nigeriasports.com: What do you think of the young players like Osaze Odemwingie, Ifeanyi Ekwueme and Joseph Enakhire in the team?

Udeze: There is always a first time for everything you do in life and I am extremely happy they started this way which will toughen them ahead of the demands in the future. I think they gave their best in this competition. I went through this same process in Mali and at the World cup in 2002, which has made me a better and experienced player.

Nigeriasports.com: The cup of nations has come and gone what is the next step for Ifeanyi Udeze?

Udeze: I am back at my club and am moving on with life. We all have to put the past (nation’s cup) behind us and hope for better days. The world cup and nations cup 2006 qualifiers will start in few months time and Nigerians will get to see us all again.

Nigeriasports.com: Any plans to leave Greece in the summer?

Udeze: There are several offers coming from France, England and in Germany but am not in a hurry to leave Greece because of my contract with the club. I had a sweet and bitter experience in England after the world cup and I hope to learn from that and attain the height I’ve always dreamt of.

Nigeriasports.com: If there is a way you could change anything in life what would that be?

Udeze: Nothing, absolutely nothing. I believe in destiny so much and I think it plays a great role in our everyday life.