I will move from Enugu Rangers to Europe – Alhaji Gero

How does it feel to be a member of the Home-based Eagles team that is preparing for the CHAN return leg against Cote d’Ivoire?I am very happy to be part of the Home based Eagles for the first time. I have been waiting for a chance like this to represent my fatherland at the senior […]

How does it feel to be a member of the Home-based Eagles team that is preparing for the CHAN return leg against Cote d’Ivoire?
I am very happy to be part of the Home based Eagles for the first time. I have been waiting for a chance like this to represent my fatherland at the senior level. Now that the opportunity has come, I am going to give all my best. I am so happy to be here.
Eagles were 4-1 winners against Cote d’Ivoire in the first leg of the CHAN qualifier in Kaduna. How confident are you that the present squad would qualify Nigeria for the championship?
This team is going to qualify Nigeria for the CHAN. The present squad is made up of experienced players. Although I was still in Turkey with the U-20 side when the first leg was played in Kaduna, I was told about the result and the performance of the boys and I was very happy. I am confident that we would go to Abidjan and prove that we are better than the Ivorians.
What should your fans expect from you against Cote d’Ivoire?
If given a chance to play against Cote d’Ivoire, I promise to do my best. I will take any chance that would fall to me. As a striker, I will like to score so as to justify the confidence the coaches have in me.
You were a member of the National U-20 team that featured at the 2013 FIFA -20 World Cup in Turkey. How would you assess your performance?
Personally, I am very satisfied with my performance. I did my best in the matches I was given the opportunity to play. Football is all about team work so we all did our best but it was not good enough.
Don’t you think Nigerians have been let down by the team? Most people are of the opinion that you guys have failed?
Although we did not win, I do not agree that we failed completely. We did our best but that was what God wanted us to get at the end of the day. Maybe if we were able to beat Uruguay, we would have gone all the way to the finals. But in all things we have to thank God so I am still happy that we did our best for ourselves and Nigeria.
I remember your reaction vividly when your team mate Shehu Abdullahi was handed a red card in the match against Uruguay. Why were you so angry?
I was very angry with the referee. He was not fair to us. Unfortunately, there was no way I could talk to him. It was not a red card offence because that was a 50-50 ball. When he brought out the red card, I could not believe my eyes. I repeat the referee was not fair to us at all.
Did you at that point conclude inside you that it was over for the team?
No, no, I was still confident that we were going to beat our opponents. We decided that we won’t go down without a fight and that is why you must have seen that we kept taking the fight to our opponents. But I must confess that that red card disorganised our game plan.
What was the mood of the players after the second round loss?
After the match we felt really bad. It was clear that we were going to beat Uruguay, if not for that questionable red card. We went back to the hotel and everyone was sad. We wanted to remain in the championship and possibly break the FIFA U-20 World Cup jinx.
Among your team mates in the U-20 team, who impressed you the most?
My best player in the team is Abdul Ajagun. He proved to be a competent leader. He mobilised us on and off the field of play. Being the most experienced player in that team, he was able to provide us with the leadership we needed on the field of play.
Were you disappointed that you could not score a single goal at the World Cup?
I would have been happy, if I scored but I cannot say I was disappointed that I could not score at the World Cup proper. If you remember, I scored two goals during the Toulon Tournament in France before the World Cup. However, in Turkey I played as a winger and that made it difficult for me. I am a natural striker but following some changes, I was asked to play on the wings and that made it difficult for me to score.
What can you say about technical abilities of Coach Sam John Obuh?
John Obuh is a very good coach. I appreciate everything he has done in my career. I have learnt so many things within this period that I have played under him. I was sad when I learnt that he has tendered his resignation. He is a good coach who has the ability to discover and nurture talented players.
Would you encourage him to continue as Flying Eagles coach?
Why not? I want him to continue. If I have the opportunity to advise him, I will ask him to stay. He is good for the youth teams because he understands the psychology of young players.
How did you start your football career?
I am from Kano State so I started my football career in the streets of Kano. I began my professional career with Elkanemi Warriors of Maiduguri in 2009. I did a season there and moved to Lobi Stars of Makurdi. From Lobi, I moved to Kaduna United and now Enugu Rangers.
Why the choice of Rangers?
I like Rangers. The club has a rich history and it is one of the best clubs in the country. At the moment I am enjoying my stay in Enugu and that is where I hope to remain until I get a club in Europe. I am not planning to remain in the domestic league.
You are from Kano State and Kano Pillars is said to be the best managed club in the Nigerian league. Are you not interested in playing for your state club?
Pillars is a great side but at the moment, I am happy playing for Rangers and I do not want to discuss Kano Pillars. I cannot say that one day I will play for Pillars. After all they have not approached me. I am not the only player from Kano State who is not playing for Pillars.
How happy are you with the opportunity Coach Keshi is giving to the Home- based players to fight for shirts in the Super Eagles?
Most of us are very happy with what Coach keshi is doing. In the past, we never had it so good. All I can do is to keep praying for him and other members of the technical crew like Daniel Amokachie. I have been praying for the success of the coaching crew.