UD Armeria of Spain playmaker, Ramon Azeez, in this exclusive chat with The Eagle Online recently, sounded confident of shooting the three-time African Champions, the Super Eagles, to more glory in no distant future. Azeez said he won’t be deterred to achieve his set goals with Nigeria. The petit midfielder and former Flying Eagles’ skipper also took time to speak on his Brazil 2014 World Cup experience, personal life, club career, La Liga stars, dreams and aspirations. Excerpts:
Share with us your World Cup experience with the Super Eagles?
Well, it was a sweet experience for me by all standards. I was very happy to be a member of the Super Eagles squad to the World Cup. You will agree with me that it is every players dream to play at the World Cup stage. So, it is a dream come true for me as a young player.
I actually learnt so much from the senior ones in camp during the World Cup and I believe what I have learnt will be of tremendous support to my career. We were one family and everyone was ready to assist the other on and off the pitch.
You played one game in four games at the World Cup. How fulfilled are you by this one game?
I would have loved to play more games at the World Cup and that could have given me the opportunity to express myself and also display what I’m capable of doing with the ball. However, I’m very appreciative to the coaches and the entire team for the opportunity to represent my country at the highest level of football.
Do you think you have what it takes to win first team shirt in the Eagles?
No doubt, Nigeria is blessed with lots of talented players in all departments of the game and I strongly believe that some of these competitions for shirts make me a better player. I always have it at the back of mind that I possess good quality as a player and I can always win a place if given enough time to settle down and prove myself.
Could you clear the air your clash with Mikel Obi in Brazil?
(Laughs) I have heard this from people over and over again but I don’t know where such story is emanating from. I had no issues with Mikel at the World Cup. In fact, we had no issues throughout our stay in US and the World Cup proper in Brazil. So, I wonder what people want to achieve with such an imaginary tale about Mikel and myself. We respect ourselves as team mates and we are both professionals. So, there was no qualms between us.
Having made the World Cup, what are your other dreams with the Super Eagles?
I’m sure you are aware that I was not in the team when the Super Eagles were crowned African Champions. So, it is my dreams to with laurels for my country. I also want to attend the World Cup again with the team and possibly I will have enough opportunity to star in the colours of the Eagles.
You have not gotten the opportunity to play to your full potential for the Super Eagles. What do you think is responsible for this?
I believe it is a gradually thing. I’m just coming into the team and I believe I still have many years ahead to do that. I got lots of encouraging words from the coaches and other members of the team. So, let’s keep our fingers crossed. I will shine in the Eagles soon.
What is your impression about Coach Stephen Keshi?
Keshi is just like a father to me. He offered me the opportunity to play for the Super Eagles which is like a dream to me. Only few coaches can do what is doing and that’s why he has achieved so much with the team in the space of three years.
How will fancy the chances of Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2015 after the dismal outing against Congo and Bafana Bafana of South Africa?
No Nigerian side can be ruled out of qualifying or winning any tournament because a typical Nigerian team performs when no one expects and I believe that is what is presently happening to the team.
It was our desire to beat the Congolese and also go ahead to defeat the South Africans at home but football could sometimes be funny and give you what you never planned for. Now, the Congolese are flying high but the table can still be turn against them as we still have a couple of games to play in the qualifiers. So, I will admonish Nigerians to keep supporting and praying for us to qualify for the Nations Cup.
Let’s digress a little into club football, what are Armeria’s set targets in the La Liga this season?
Yeah, it is our dream to play next season in Europe. So, we are working on it and I think the season has started on a good note for us. We however hope to sustain the tempo until the end of the season.
With Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the Spanish League. What are the chances of Armeria?
Though, the clubs you have mentioned are top sides in Spain but we have always spring surprises against them. We are aware of what they are capable of doing because they have qualities and the stars who can win games for them. I believe we also have an outside chance to upset them and pick the ticket ahead of the top clubs.
How soon are you planning to remain at Armeria and what is your likely destination?
I may not be able to answer that question because I’m still a player of Armeria and the power of transfer is vested in the club and my agent. So, I go where ever they ask me to go.
Would you resist an offer from the England Premiership if it comes your way?
As a player, I will not if the offer is tempting. But yet my transfer to any other club can only be determined by my agent and the club for now.
Which of the Premier League clubs will you love to play for?
Personally, I love to play for any club that will offer me first team appearance. But it is not a bad idea to play for any of the big clubs in the Premiership.
How do you feel playing against world’s top stars such as Cristano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Xavi in Spain?
Firstly, it is a big honour for me playing against these stars. But I think the exposure is worth while and a career boaster for me. By all standards, Ronaldo, Messi, Xavi are great players and I have tapped so much experience from them.