Oparanozie I won’t go for personal glory in Canada

How happy are you getting two goals and setting up two others in this massive encounter that qualifies Falcons for the All Africa Games in Gabon?I feel very happy because it’s not every day that a player has an amazing day on the pitch. Sometimes things go against you even when you’re playing so well, […]

How happy are you getting two goals and setting up two others in this massive encounter that qualifies Falcons for the All Africa Games in Gabon?
I feel very happy because it’s not every day that a player has an amazing day on the pitch. Sometimes things go against you even when you’re playing so well, so it’s great to get the goals and assists but most importantly we are happy to have qualified for the All Africa Games.
Apart from the All Africa Games, the Falcons will also be involved in this year’s FIFA World Cup in Canada; do you think the present squad can better the performances of previous teams?
First of all, looking at the World Cup in Canada, I want to be a part of the team because I feel confident that the team will break the previous records set by our veterans so if we can exceed that and get beyond what they’ve done, I will be fulfilled and happy with our performance in the World Cup but it’s important that we take each game as it comes not to get ahead of ourselves if we really want to perform well.
You have been highest goal scorer in recent competitions the Falcons have been involved in including the AWC in Namibia. To what would you attribute your scoring prowess?
Football is a team sport and I am nobody without the assistance of my fellow players, who own and deserve the credits for the goals I have scored for the team. Without the assistance of my other teammates there is nothing I could do exactly. So, as an individual, I believe in the team and they also believe in me. We will work together as a team and achieve whatsoever we have set out to achieve. Personally I just continue to do my best on the field in order to improve the chances of my team winning the game at all times.
What kind of preparation do you think will help the team perform in Canada?
Without a second thought, I will say the team needs quality international friendly matches. Playing in the World Cup is not a tea party so for us to perform we have to play trial matches against some formidable oppositions. We need to have an idea of what is going to take place in Canada.
Will the All Africa Games qualifiers help in any way?
Certainly yes. These are international matches we have played and so we can not undermine the impact these matches have made. They were more than training games and we have gained playing the qualifiers.
Does this squad boast of the required experience to compete at the World Cup level?
I think we have the required experience because some of us are currently playing professional football abroad and we are not doing badly. Just recently, one of our best players Asisat Oshoala signed for Liverpool and this is a morale booster. I am sure those of us who have been around for some time now would be able to guide the younger players who are coming in to join us.
You play in France with Guingamp FC, how would you describe the overall experience compared to your former club Bayelsa Queens?
I have no complaints about France and Guingamp FC really. So far it has been so good for me at the club side. I have been doing well at the club level. It’s good for me and I am very happy with the way things are going for me over there. I also enjoyed my stay with Bayelsa Queens and hopefully before you know it our own league will be as developed as the foreign leagues.
Any request from you to Nigerian football fans?
They have always been our twelfth player so they should continue to give us their unflinching support. We need their prayers now that we are going to face the best teams in the world. It is not going to be easy but with the support coming from them, we shall certainly do the country proud in Canada.