Abiola Dauda Why I have not closed my door on Super Eagles

Hat tricks are known to be special so how did you feel after your hat trick against Excelsior two weeks ago?It felt very good to be honest. Coming to a new club there are bound to be expectations on you to perform and when you start repaying the faith imposed in you it gives a […]

Hat tricks are known to be special so how did you feel after your hat trick against Excelsior two weeks ago?
It felt very good to be honest. Coming to a new club there are bound to be expectations on you to perform and when you start repaying the faith imposed in you it gives a special feeling just like the hat trick against Excelsior. Hopefully, I look forward to more of the same kind.
Now that you have hit the mark, did you set any personal targets regarding how many goals you’ll want to score for the season?
I have never in my career set a goal target for the season because I feel it makes one go out of his way to try to score in order to meet that target which might affect your general productiveness in the game. So the best thing is to keep aiming to do better every season so we’ll see what happens at the end of the season.
Are there any differences between Vitesse and your former clubs in terms of fitness schedules and training regimes?
Sure, Vitesse is a top top club and so everything around the place is top class from the training regime to the facilities everything is much different from Red star Belgrade.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have played two AFCON qualification matches so far, what did you make of their performance?
To be honest, I wasn’t opportune to watch the games you mentioned but I followed it online and read many reports about them and I’m my opinion I think there’s room for improvements in the team, that’s all I have to say about that.
Are you still open to representing the Eagles despite strongly considering Sweden after you gained citizenship last year?
I have always been open to playing for my country. I think wearing the colours is the greatest pride of any football player, that’s why I have never closed any doors even if I’m eligible to represent Sweden. But for now I’ll continue playing and see what the future holds.
Off the pitch, what are your other interests?
Outside the field of play, I have a normal life like anyone else. It’s basically about resting and thinking about the next day or game. I also enjoy relaxing with friends nothing much, just normal stuff.
Saw your picture with Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic, how did you two meet?
Novak is one of the biggest celebrities in the world and he’s a Serbian with strong support for my former club Red Star Belgrade and was fortunate to come across him at a restaurant. So we chatted and posed for a photograph. He is a nice and level headed fellow.
What are the things you miss most about Nigeria?
This one is undisputable. The number one thing I miss most about Nigeria is my family. I wish I could see them every day and whenever I think about my country they are the first thoughts I have.
Would you like to become a coach on retirement, and why?
Well, for now I haven’t really given it much thought. I am only concentrating on my playing career but no one knows what the future might hold. But for now coaching or other management roles aren’t on my mind
What did you make of all the controversial issues going on in Nigerian football administration?
Of course they aren’t nice and nobody is happy about it but hopefully things are going to be better so that Nigerian football would move forward. Our people love the game and we should try and make it better.