Kalmar FC of Sweden striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, in this exclusive chat with The Eagle Online at Hotel Al Afifa in Dakar, Senegal, assured Nigerians that he is ready to replicate the feat that earned Nigeria the accolade at the FIFA U17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates. The Ilorin-born maintained the team’s target is his main priority. Gentleman Awoniyi also took time to speak on his aspirations, career and lifestyle. Excerpts:
Taiwo, congratulations on your Most Valuable Player awards. What level of motivation would this honour give you as the Flying Eagles seek glory here in Senegal?
First of all, I want to thank God for honouring me, but I must thank my teammates for the support they are giving me on the pitch. You will agree with me that without the other players providing me with assists, I wouldn’t have gotten those goals. I hope to score more goals for the team in our subsequent games and make Nigerians proud.
It appears the responsibility of scoring goals in on you. Does this put you under any pressure?
We all experience pressure in our various works in life. You as a journalist also have your deadline to meet and that also put you under some forms of pressure. As a striker, I always like to score goals and life my team but most important thing is for the team to earn victory irrespective of who scored. We all have a role to play and that is to ensure Nigeria come tops at the end of the competition.
Having scored great goals here at the African Youth Championship in Dakar, Senegal, are you aiming at the top scorers award and possibly the tournament’s Most Valuable Player?
Of course, every player loves to be honoured, but our primary target is to qualify for the U20 World Cup in New Zealand as African Champions and any other personal target can be considered.
What number of goals do you plan to score in this competition?
Personally, I don’t know because that could cause us distraction at the end of the day. I will definitely score goals if I’m well positioned on the pitch. I’m not a selfish striker. I also like my teammates to register their names on the score sheet. So, I believe the end will justify the means.
So, what is your strong point as a striker?
Well, I love to play simple. I try not put myself in a difficult position on the pitch. Once I position myself, the ball will come and I try to convert the chance that come my way, even if it is a half chance.
But it is appears other teams in this competition are seeing you as a deadly striker. How are you coping with this impression about you?
We all have our believes and I can’t query that. However, I’m just like every other players in this competition. Like I said earlier, the job of scoring goals is not vested on just a player but we all can score goals if the opportunity comes. We have a complete team and anyone called upon by the coaches can deliver and lift Nigeria.
Is there any country the Flying Eagles will like to avoid en route final in this competition?
There is this saying that you must beat the best to become the best. So, we are not scared of any team in this competition. Instead, it is the countries that are trying to avoid us. But we won’t allow our high ranking distract us and we would take every game as it comes.
Do you think your move to Kalmar FC of Sweden have polished you as a player?
(Smiles). Firstly, I must say a big thank you to my manager, who was also an ex-international, Seyi Olofinjana. He’s done great things in my career because without God and him, I would not have gotten to this stage in life. So, kudos to him for seeing the talent in me and giving me the needed lift. I’m also indebted to Coach Rasaq Olojo, who nurtured me and Ndukka Ugabde for discovering me during a Coca Cola competition in Ibadan before I travelled for the London in 2010 competition where Olofinjana spotted me. Back to your question, I completely agree with you because Kalmar FC Academy is one of the best in the world. They have good coaches, nutritionists, psychologists that mentor you and get the best out of you. So, I believe the move has really paid off and I’m now a different player.
For how long do yo plan to remain at Kalmar FC and which country would you like to move to after Sweden?
I’m a player of Kalmar and I’m still loving it in Sweden as a young player. I believe I still have a long way to go and I just want to take it easy and allow Almighty God take preeminent of my career.
Sometimes ago, you earned a call up to the Super Eagles by Coach Stephen Keshi. Can you share your experience with the big boys?
Wow. It was a wonderful experience because I never thought the senior national team invite was going to come that early. It was a worthwhile experience, I must confess. The call up gave me a lot of exposure and confidence in the game and I’m beginning to see the gains of it.
On personal note now. Who are your best pals in the Flying Eagles camp.
(Laugh). I laugh with everyone in camp and we chat a lot because you need to have good relationship off the pitch and that assists a lot during games. However, I tend to be close to Chiderah Ezeh and Idowu Akinjide. They are great guys and I love to be with them at all time in camp.