Mohammed: Flying Eagles will return with AYC trophy

Flying Eagles are opening the 2015 Africa Youth Championship against host nation Senegal. How ready are the boys?We are all ready. All the players are ready to give their best for the country. We have been working hard and I can tell you confidently that we are ready to take on our opponents.Nigerians are expecting […]

Flying Eagles are opening the 2015 Africa Youth Championship against host nation Senegal. How ready are the boys?
We are all ready. All the players are ready to give their best for the country. We have been working hard and I can tell you confidently that we are ready to take on our opponents.
Nigerians are expecting so much from this team. How prepared are you to handle this expectation that is coming with so much pressure?
The truth is that we cannot pretend that there is no pressure but honestly we are capable of handling any kind of pressure. Most of the players in the present team were part of the team that won the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup so we are used to the big stage. We have struck the needed understanding and are working hard to win another trophy for Nigeria. So our target is to first qualify for the World Cup and also win the trophy.
So even without a foreign training tour, this team has prepared adequately?
We have enough preparation because if you have been following us, we went to Ghana after the Super 4 and played against the U-20 team of Ghana. They are also going for the Junior Nations Cup. These were strong test matches.
Playing the opening match against the host nation is usually a tough task. How ready are you guys to face the home fans?
We are all used to playing in front of large crowd. The important thing is we are ready and the support for our opponents cannot intimidate us. We won’t be intimidated because we have made up our mind to win all the matches.
What is your assessment of Group A that has Cote d’Ivoire, Congo, Nigeria and host Senegal?
People say the group is strong but what we have told ourselves is that we are going to win all our matches. No group is easy so we have resolved to beat the strongest teams to win the championship. We are not aiming at anything less than the trophy.
Won’t the absence of players like Iheanacho, Nwakili, Yahaya, Success and Ndidi reduce the strength of this team?
No! no!! Right from U-17 days, the coaches did not build the team around any player. From number one to number 21, every player is the best. If you watch the 2013 U-17 team, our goals were scored by defenders, midfielders and attackers. Goals come from any direction. We did not rely on any specific players. Losing these players is not going to be a problem at all.
What do you have to say about the return of players like Bernard Bulbwa and Ibrahim Hassan to the team?
These are great talents. And as you are well aware, they are not strangers to this team. They were key members of the U-17 team but did not make the World Cup team because of MRI. Now they are back and have blended perfectly. They know the philosophy of the team and are going to be of immense help.
What is your happiest moment as a football player?
My happiest moment in football is no doubt the day we won the U-17 World Cup. Even now that I am talking to you, I am still very very happy. I least expected that to happen so soon in my career. But I look at that as just the beginning of great things to come.
How do you cope with the pressure of playing and leading the boys as their captain?
When I started with the U-17, there was so much pressure on me but I am now used to it. It was a new challenge but with the support of almighty Allah, I was able to control the boys. I try to take them along and they appreciate and respect me as their leader. I lead by example. We respect one another a lot.
What do you normally do with your team mates before a match?
I make sure we come together for a talk. We tell ourselves the truth. We always need hundred percent concentration so we can work as a team and play as a team. We don’t allow anything to distract us.
I have a feeling that one day you will captain the Super Eagles……..
(Laughs) It is the dream of every player to play for his or her country and if I have such an opportunity, I will be most grateful. And if those in charge believe in my leadership qualities and appoint me to lead the senior national team, I will be extremely happy. I will keep working hard on my game.
Some of your U-17 team mates are now playing abroad but you are yet to get a foreign deal. Are you not worried?
No I am not worried because my prayer is that the almighty Allah should choose the best for me. I don’t have to worry because I know my time will certainly come.
You like moving upfront to score goals. Will you be comfortable with the role of a striker?
It is possible because what players need is guidance. If the coaches can guide you, you can play any position on the field. If the coaches have confidence in me, I can play in multiple positions. For now, I am focused on playing my defensive role.
How much impact would you say football has made in your life?
I can tell you confidently that football is my life. It is my own business, my focus and my future. This is why I don’t joke with my career. I know what football has done to my life.
As a World Cup winning captain, how popular are you with Nigerian football fans?
I may not as popular as Jay Jay Okocha or Kanu Nwankwo but I can tell you that people recognise me everywhere I go in this country. You know Nigerians love football so much and so they have retained our faces as world champions.
How happy were you with the reception Kano State accorded you and the victorious Golden Eaglets?
Yeah I was so happy with it. I was not the only Kano State indigene in that team. Zahradeen Bello is also from Kano. I am so happy with what Kano State did for us. It will encourage younger players to do more. They want to be recognised by the government. Even my team mates in Eaglets were happy with what Kano State did for the team.
Looking ahead, do you see the Flying Eagles winning the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup?
It is possible but for now we are focused on the Africa Youth Championship. When we get to the World Cup, we shall make sure we win all our matches. Like I said for now we are thinking about the nations Cup in Senegal.
What message do you have for Nigerians?
My message to Nigeria is we are happy with the way they been supporting and praying for us. We shall make sure we don’t disappoint them. We hope to win all our matches. They should keep praying for us. Insah Allah we are going to do the nation proud.