Super Eagles’ combative midfielder, Ogenyi Eddy Onazi has assured that there is nothing to be worried about as they step out against their Red Devils of Congo counterparts on Saturday in Calabar.
Onazi who is the toss of Calabar fans stated that the African Champions are ready to live up to their billings and also put their African Cup of Nations qualifier on a strong pedestal.
The interview;
What your assessment of your today’s opponents, the Red Devils of Congo?
(Laughs) You have said it already that they are Red Devils. So, we must prepare hard for the Devils as you have called them. They must be curtailed so that they won’t wreck havoc of our Nations Cup defence.
As you could see, we are in high spirit for the game. No one in camp is taking this game with levity because we all have a point to prove that we are not African champions by accident. So we want to prove to the whole world that we are the ready champions and the best in Africa.
Anyway, we’ve quality training sessions here and we are ready to go. Nigeria is blessed with great players and everyone here is raring to go if given an opportunity against the Congolese.
We are also aware that the Congolese won’t come cheap because they are also blessed with some great players and they will sting you if they are taking for granted. They want to be at the Nations Cup and they will definitely do everything possible on the pitch to pick available points and qualify for the competition.
However, we are not worried by these their qualities but we are focused on making Nigerian proud and defending our trophy in Morocco early next year.
What edge have the Super Eagles gotten over the Congolese?
For me, the Congolese have not been an easy opponents in the history of football on the continent. They also have great and talented players so any team playing against them must be conscious of their qualities. But I strongly believe we are going to stop them and grabbed the points at stake. Yes, we are African champions and we must live to our billings.
The Calabar fans were all out to cheer the Eagles in training and will also troupe out en mass to drum support for the Eagles against Congo today. What are you promising them to replicate their support for the team?
We must give it to the Calabar fans. They have been very supportive and the best way to replicate their support is to provide them with quality and highly entertaining football. That is what they are going to get from us because the Super Eagles have come of age. We have been together and playing together for a while now. So, we understand ourselves on and off the pitch and I don’t think playing good football won’t be a major problem for us. We are prepared and that I can assure you.
You have a major role to play in the midfield. How tasking is this role of yours in the Super Eagles?
I don’t think a tree can make the forest. So, I cannot apportion glory to myself for doing the job. Football is a team game and I believe the purpose of winning can only be achieved with support of your team mates. From the goalkeeping position to the attack, we all have a huge role to play. Even those of the bench are very significant to the final outcome of a game.
Don’t you think the absence of Vincent Enyeama against Congo and South Africa is a huge loss for the Super Eagles?
Yeah, Enyeama is a great goalkeeper and served for so many years in the team. I believe he has paid his dues and we are definitely going to miss him. However, we have capable replacement in Austin (Ejide). Ejide is also highly experienced and will fill the void created by Enyeama. So, there is no cause for panic since Ejide is fit and ready to go.
What is your take on the new invitees in Eagles camp?
Nigeria is blessed with quality players and that’s why it is easy to raise two or more national teams in this country. The new guys have been wonderful. They are intelligent and have good sense of the game. For me, they have a good future with the Super Eagles.
How tough was it for you returning to fitness after your injury at the World Cup?
Anyway, it was a bit difficult but I faced the battle head on. I never gave the injury a thought. I returned to Nigeria after the World Cup and I was doing my things believing that I will be fine when I return back to Italy. This mind set got me going and I was able to return to full fitness without much trouble.
Are you satisfied with the Super Eagles Round of 16 finish at the World Cup?
We were all sad losing out to France in the second round because our aim was to make it to the semi final and from there anything can happen. But that is in the history now. We are now thinking on how to improve on our past record at the World Cup and I also believe that is what Nigerians want from us.
What is the target for SS Lazio this season in the Serie A?
We were on the continent a few seasons ago. We played in the Europa League and we did very well. Unfortunately, we couldn’t replicate that feat after what. But we want to make sure we return to the Europe and also challenge for the Serie A title. I think that is our target now and we believe it is achievable.
You were linked to a couple of clubs in England and the Bundesliga. How soon is this move going to materialse?
Yeah, I have heard so much about clubs wanting me but I’m still a player of SS Lazio. I’m under a contract with the club which must be respected.
But it was a known secret that you wanted an increase in wages at Lazio. Were your demands met buy the club at the end of negotiation?
I don’t allow some of these contractual talks distract me because I’m a professional player and I believe my agent is on top of the situation. I’m to play good football and try to avoid negotiation.
In a few days from now the Super Eagles will take on the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Pretoria. What’s impression about the South Africa team?
Let take it one game after the other. The Congolese are our immediate focus now. I know attention will definitely be shifted to the South Africans after today’s game. It will interest you that the South Africa is also a home for the Eagles. So, we would enjoy a lot of support from the Nigerians and some South Africans alike.
For us, Pretoria which the venue of the match is like a fortress for the Eagles and we would definitely give them a big fight out there.
Onazi who is the toss of Calabar fans stated that the African Champions are ready to live up to their billings and also put their African Cup of Nations qualifier on a strong pedestal.
The interview;
What your assessment of your today’s opponents, the Red Devils of Congo?
(Laughs) You have said it already that they are Red Devils. So, we must prepare hard for the Devils as you have called them. They must be curtailed so that they won’t wreck havoc of our Nations Cup defence.
As you could see, we are in high spirit for the game. No one in camp is taking this game with levity because we all have a point to prove that we are not African champions by accident. So we want to prove to the whole world that we are the ready champions and the best in Africa.
Anyway, we’ve quality training sessions here and we are ready to go. Nigeria is blessed with great players and everyone here is raring to go if given an opportunity against the Congolese.
We are also aware that the Congolese won’t come cheap because they are also blessed with some great players and they will sting you if they are taking for granted. They want to be at the Nations Cup and they will definitely do everything possible on the pitch to pick available points and qualify for the competition.
However, we are not worried by these their qualities but we are focused on making Nigerian proud and defending our trophy in Morocco early next year.
What edge have the Super Eagles gotten over the Congolese?
For me, the Congolese have not been an easy opponents in the history of football on the continent. They also have great and talented players so any team playing against them must be conscious of their qualities. But I strongly believe we are going to stop them and grabbed the points at stake. Yes, we are African champions and we must live to our billings.
The Calabar fans were all out to cheer the Eagles in training and will also troupe out en mass to drum support for the Eagles against Congo today. What are you promising them to replicate their support for the team?
We must give it to the Calabar fans. They have been very supportive and the best way to replicate their support is to provide them with quality and highly entertaining football. That is what they are going to get from us because the Super Eagles have come of age. We have been together and playing together for a while now. So, we understand ourselves on and off the pitch and I don’t think playing good football won’t be a major problem for us. We are prepared and that I can assure you.
You have a major role to play in the midfield. How tasking is this role of yours in the Super Eagles?
I don’t think a tree can make the forest. So, I cannot apportion glory to myself for doing the job. Football is a team game and I believe the purpose of winning can only be achieved with support of your team mates. From the goalkeeping position to the attack, we all have a huge role to play. Even those of the bench are very significant to the final outcome of a game.
Don’t you think the absence of Vincent Enyeama against Congo and South Africa is a huge loss for the Super Eagles?
Yeah, Enyeama is a great goalkeeper and served for so many years in the team. I believe he has paid his dues and we are definitely going to miss him. However, we have capable replacement in Austin (Ejide). Ejide is also highly experienced and will fill the void created by Enyeama. So, there is no cause for panic since Ejide is fit and ready to go.
What is your take on the new invitees in Eagles camp?
Nigeria is blessed with quality players and that’s why it is easy to raise two or more national teams in this country. The new guys have been wonderful. They are intelligent and have good sense of the game. For me, they have a good future with the Super Eagles.
How tough was it for you returning to fitness after your injury at the World Cup?
Anyway, it was a bit difficult but I faced the battle head on. I never gave the injury a thought. I returned to Nigeria after the World Cup and I was doing my things believing that I will be fine when I return back to Italy. This mind set got me going and I was able to return to full fitness without much trouble.
Are you satisfied with the Super Eagles Round of 16 finish at the World Cup?
We were all sad losing out to France in the second round because our aim was to make it to the semi final and from there anything can happen. But that is in the history now. We are now thinking on how to improve on our past record at the World Cup and I also believe that is what Nigerians want from us.
What is the target for SS Lazio this season in the Serie A?
We were on the continent a few seasons ago. We played in the Europa League and we did very well. Unfortunately, we couldn’t replicate that feat after what. But we want to make sure we return to the Europe and also challenge for the Serie A title. I think that is our target now and we believe it is achievable.
You were linked to a couple of clubs in England and the Bundesliga. How soon is this move going to materialse?
Yeah, I have heard so much about clubs wanting me but I’m still a player of SS Lazio. I’m under a contract with the club which must be respected.
But it was a known secret that you wanted an increase in wages at Lazio. Were your demands met buy the club at the end of negotiation?
I don’t allow some of these contractual talks distract me because I’m a professional player and I believe my agent is on top of the situation. I’m to play good football and try to avoid negotiation.
In a few days from now the Super Eagles will take on the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Pretoria. What’s impression about the South Africa team?
Let take it one game after the other. The Congolese are our immediate focus now. I know attention will definitely be shifted to the South Africans after today’s game. It will interest you that the South Africa is also a home for the Eagles. So, we would enjoy a lot of support from the Nigerians and some South Africans alike.
For us, Pretoria which the venue of the match is like a fortress for the Eagles and we would definitely give them a big fight out there.
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