I dread Kano Pillars strikers – Ocheje

Nigerians will like to know how you started your football career. How did you start? Before I answer your question, let me thank God for this day and for making it possible for us to meet today. I want to thank you for all your support. Well, I started my career with some grassroots clubs. […]

Nigerians will like to know how you started your football career. How did you start?

Before I answer your question, let me thank God for this day and for making it possible for us to meet today. I want to thank you for all your support. Well, I started my career with some grassroots clubs. I began on the streets like most kids do around here. I played for a youth team called Lucky Star FC, from Lucky Star, I moved to young Planners from where I was recruited by an amateur side called Bassa United. From Bassa United, I moved over to Adamawa United. From Adamawa United, I was signed by Lobi Stars where I played for three seasons. When I was with Lobi, I played in the National U-17 team and later the Flying Eagles. From Lobi Stars, I joined Tornadoes and after two seasons, I moved to my present club which is Sunshine Stars.

Did you enjoy the needed support from your parents when you started?

If my dad and mum were alive, I wouldn’t have played football. However, both of them are not alive and that’s why I got the chance to play football. They would have insisted I go to school. I fall into football because I have to get a source of livelihood. I needed something to do and God brought me into football.

You featured for the National U-17 and then the Flying Eagles in 2007. Were you worried that you never got a chance to fight for shirt in the Super Eagles?

I was not really worried anyway because I believe it all about time and chance. When your time comes, nobody can drag it with you. So I think this is the right time for Moses to be back in the national team again.  I feel really happy that Keshi has given me this golden opportunity.

How do you hope to meet up with the present challenge where you are vying for the number one position with some of the best goalkeepers in the NPL?

Everything is about hard work. I know I will have to re-double my efforts. I also will depend on prayers because as a Christian I know that hard work without prayer amounts to nothing. Moreover, I am used to challenges. In life, one is bound to face challenges but it all depends on how much you are ready to face them.

Sunshine Stars is the only Nigerian club left in the continent. What should Nigerians expect from the club?

I want Nigerians to believe that we would not let them down in terms of qualifying for the group stages and even the semi-finals of the Champions League Once we get to the semis anything can happen. I believe that we can achieve this because we are committed. We want to emulate Enyimba who are former African Champions. We cannot afford to let Nigerians down.

Sunshine stumbled in the first group match at home against Esperance of Tunisia. What went wrong?

We lost against Esperance because we gave them too much respect. We looked at them as defending champions and accorded them too much respect. After the match, we realized that they are also human beings. Therefore, we are waiting for the return leg.

Are you now saying when you confront Esperance again, you will take your pound of flesh?

Nigerians should expect nothing but victory.  They came and beat us at home and I do not see any reason why we should not beat them in their home. They cannot beat us twice. We have learnt from our mistakes.

But after the defeat against Esperance, Sunshine Stars went and got an away draw against a Tunisian side, Etoile Du Sahel. How did it happen?

We embarked on soul searching. We asked questions and tried to find solutions. We then told ourselves that we can do it. Coach Ogunbote explained to us the implication of losing a second match in a row. He made us to understand that we are carrying the expectations of the whole country on our shoulders and cannot afford to disappoint them. With the pep- talk, we came out smoking against Etoile Du Sahel.

Let me take you back a bit. You mentioned several clubs you have played for. Why do you keep moving?

I think it is all about the need to acquire more experience. When you stay in one place you cannot get enough experience. You have to move around because it is said travelling is part of experience. And in the game of football, you have to move around, learn from different coaches so that you also can be a great tomorrow.

You have played so many matches this season, in which of the matches would you say you recorded your best performance?

In the Nigeria Premier League, I will pick our match against Warri Wolves, Heartland, Lobi Stars, In fact I have so many good matches this season. In the Champions League, I can say our match against Djoliba of Mali and Etoile Du Sahel in Tunis. I did very well in these two matches.

Which match would you say you were disappointed with your performance?

I can’t remember having a really bad day. It’s been long I have an off day. I can’t recall at this moment. When you have a record of good outings, you hardly have time to keep records of bad moments.

Week in week out, you come against different attackers. Which attack in the NPL gives you nightmares?

Without doubt, I pick kano Pillars attackers. I dread their strikers. If you want to look at an attack, you should be looking at the midfielders and support from the defenders. Pillars have quality midfielders. They also have defenders who join the attack always and this help keep their opponents defence under constant pressure. They have mobile players who can attack at anytime. So when I am up against their attackers, I always pray for luck to stop them from scoring.

At the end of the season, are you going to remain with Sunshine Stars or move abroad for greener pastures?

Yeah, I am thinking ahead. Most of the clubs we have played against in the continent have been asking about me but I have not made up my mind yet. It is only God who will guide me on what to do. It is only God who knows how my tomorrow would look like.

Do you have Nigerian clubs interested in engaging your services?

Sure, clubs like Warri Wolves, Heartland and even Enyimba have approached me. A lot of clubs have been talking to me but it is only after this season that I will decide whether to stay or move on. It all depends on what happens at the end of the season.

But if you have opportunity to play abroad which club would you settle for?

Every ambitious player would like to join a club like Manchester United but realistically, I have to start from somewhere. At the moment, a move to any top South African club would be okay In the end, if I can excel, from there I can move to any of the top clubs in Europe.

Aside, football, do you have plans to marry soon?

I give myself next year to marry and settle down fully. I already have a fiancée who is so close to my heart. I want to keep all other details but let me say she inspires me a lot. She gives me so much support. My family knows her and I think she is a good choice. Things are going well so I hope to settle down soon.