Envoh: I want to score another historic goal for Nigeria

Were you in any way surprised that Flying Eagles beat Ghana Black Satellites 2-0 to qualify for the finals of the 2015 Africa Youth Championship?Not really because our boys are in top form. I like their fighting spirit. So even before the match, I was confident they would beat the Black Satellites. I say a […]

Were you in any way surprised that Flying Eagles beat Ghana Black Satellites 2-0 to qualify for the finals of the 2015 Africa Youth Championship?
Not really because our boys are in top form. I like their fighting spirit. So even before the match, I was confident they would beat the Black Satellites. I say a big congratulation to the Flying Eagles. I am so proud of them.
How confident are you that Flying Eagles will win the trophy at stake in Senegal?
I am hundred percent sure that the Flying Eagles will come home with the trophy. They are playing the way a team that wants to win should play. All I can say is that if they remain disciplined, focused and hard working, nothing will stop them from winning their seventh title.
You were there in 2011 when the Flying Eagles won their sixth title. How do you rate the standard of this year’s edition of the AYC?
You know things keep tougher better and the championship too is getting stronger. When we played the U-17 championship, we thought it was the toughest. However when we played the U20 championship, it was a different ball game. The Championship I attended was far back in 2011 and this is 2015 so it can not be the same again. The standard keeps improving.
Do you also agree that promoting the bulk of the 2013 U17 players to the Flying Eagles is what is making the U20 team play good football?
Yeah I can say keeping the bulk of the team together has made the present Flying Eagles very strong. It happened during my time in the U20 team. Most of us were promoted from the 2009 Golden Eaglets and that helped us to win the 2011 AYC in South Africa. We had the necessary understanding. I remember when we were to play a friendly against the Home-based Eagles, I boasted that we were going to beat them. And even as we were much younger and smaller, we defeated them because there was understanding and consistency in the team. So I believe what is working for the Flying Eagles in Senegal is their understanding. They have been together for close to four years now.
Do you see the present Flying Eagles doing well in the 2015 FIFA World Cup?
Yeah I believe that they would do well. They should be disciplined and hard working. I want them to know that playing in the World Cup is a different ball game. Most of the players they are going to meet at the World Cup have more experience. Some of them are playing for some big clubs in Europe and Latin America. They should not depend on the present success for the world Cup. They have to work harder and they will surely succeed.
Going down memory lane, you scored the goal that gave Nigeria her sixth title in 2011. Looking back, how much do you cherish that moment?
I really feel great and I give glory to God. I remember very well that when the match was still 2-2, I was on the bench. But I told my friends that if given a chance to play, I will score the winning goal. And when I was introduced, I scored that goal that gave Nigeria the sixth AYC title. I dedicated that goal to goal and I have not stopped watching the video. That goal fetched me the Player of the Month Award. Although I am just recovering from a nagging injury, I believe one day I will score another memorable goal for Nigeria.
It is said you went to the 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia on compassionate grounds. Do you agree?
Well, I sustained a thigh injury few weeks to the World Cup. We played a friendly against Portugal. The injury could not heal in time but I was taken to the World Cup. That was indeed a sort of consolation but I did not feel fulfilled because my impact was not felt.
Would you say that injury aborted your dreams?
Yeah the injury really slowed me down. I never knew that such a thing would happen to me few weeks to the World Cup. I was totally devastated but in all things, I continued to give glory to God.
Most Nigerians are wondering what is happening to Terry Envoh. What is happening?
After the World Cup I resumed at Sharks of Port-Harcourt from where I moved to Rangers last year. In Rangers, I sustained another injury early in the season and I was sidelined throughout the year. I have just recovered and I am working on my fitness in Jos. By the grace of God, I am going to be back and better very soon. I want the world to hear about me again.
Could you share your experience within the period you were down with injury?
It is really a good question that you have asked me. When I was playing I had a lot of people around me. I was helping them but when I was down, everybody deserted me. I was left with my God and my uncles who still cared for me. I now know my true friends. It was indeed a very difficult moment for me.
How do you hope to re-launch your career?
I am looking at week nine of the Nigeria Premier League. I have to start from somewhere. So I am thinking of signing for a club, whether low or high. I will re-launch my career from there. I am working on my fitness now. I will soon be back with a bang.
How did you start your football career?
I started with Nike Boys Academy Tudun Wada in Jos. From there I signed for Mighty Jets of Jos. From Mighty Jets, I was invited to the national U17 team and I was a member of the squad that won silver at the 2009 FIFA U17 World Cup in Nigeria. From the Golden Eaglets, I was invited to the Home Based Eagles and I signed for Sharks. At the same time, I was promoted to the Flying Eagles. I was a member of the Flying Eagles squad that won the 2011 AYC in South Africa. I also made the team to the 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia.
How much support did you receive from your parents when you started?
My dad was against my choice of career but when I played for Mighty Jets and the Golden Eaglets, he changed his mind and started supporting me. He was happy to watch me on television.
When you started, which senior player inspired you?
I always loved and admired Cristiano Ronaldo. Right from the time he was playing for Manchester United, I loved watching him. I like his personality and the way he plays. He is still my role model.
Is he the star you would like to meet?
It is definitely C-Ronaldo. I am looking forward to meeting him and I know that by the grace of God, it will come to pass. I will be happy to meet him.