24th February, 2012
Ehiosun Ekigho, Super Eagles striker, who plays for Samsunspor FC in Super Lig in Turkey, tells Francis Achi in a telephone interview about the accident that occurred in his club last week, why it may be difficult to leave Samunspor for other clubs in Europe despite offers, the risk he took to play in Europe, the secret of African champions, Zambia, how to keep the Home Eagles intact and other issues.
How will you describe the state of things in your club after the accident?
Well, I am very fine and none of my teammates were injured during the accident.
Though most of us suffered from shock, after treatment, we were able to train the next day. I am grateful to God for his protection.
Do you still want to stay with the club after your loan deal expires?
Sure! Recently, I was called by the club’s management and they asked me if I wanted to stay with them,but I am yet to make up my mind.
I will not like to talk about my future in the club now. They want to extend my stay to two or three years but my problem with the club is that they might end up being relegated at the end of the season.
So I must put that into consideration before taking any decision because I don’t want to play in the 2nd division in Turkey. But there is a clause in the contract that indicates that the club can buy me outrightly at the end of the loan deal. So it will be very difficult to reject the offer.
Since the club management is satisfied with my performance and there are other clubs in Turkey and in Europe interested in me, all I intend to do now is to take my time, talk to my agent and ensure that all is well with my career.
Don’t you think the scare of relegation facing your club may jeopardise your chance of extending the deal?
That is worrisome. I don’t want to play in the 2nd division, though it is a good thing that they want me permanently.
I have settled down now, unlike when I arrived at the beginning of the season that I found it hard to adapt to their style of play.
From your earlier statement, which other clubs in Turkey are interested in you?
There are couple of clubs here and in Europe that are keen on signing me, but for now, I don’t want to bother myself with their offers.
Are they Fenerbache or Galatasaray?
No. I won’t mention the clubs.
Your club defeated Fenerbache recently and your performance in that match might have given them a green light, right?
Definitely. After the match I was told that they (Fenerbache) spoke about me. Even some of their fans have been sending messages to me via twitter that they want me to come over. I trust God that he will perfect everything for me when the time comes.
Talking about the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, what can you say about Zambia, the champions of the tournament?
I watched the tournament. I was not surprised with the performance of the Zambian players because when we met in a friendly match before the tourney, it took a lot to beat them 2-0 in Kaduna. They have been very consistent over the years and that is one good thing about football; continuity helps a lot. I am so happy for Zambia.
The Zambian team won the trophy with virtually home and African-based players and Sudan came to the tournament with entirely local players. Don’t you think we need a standby local Eagles that will complement the foreign-based professionals?
Yes. That is what the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and coach Stephen Keshi are doing right now. It is a very good thing for the national team to have a standby team that is mainly of home-based players.
But don’t you think domestic league players’ eagerness to play in foreign leagues could make it difficult forNigeria to have a standby home-based Eagles?
That is a big problem but you will not blame the players if they want to leave the country to play abroad. They are professional players. What matters now is for the NFF to give the home-based players a sense of belonging and make the domestic league attractive. If this is done, I am sure we will not have any problem regarding our players going abroad every now and then. We have quality players in the local league that can form a standby Super Eagles.
How did you feel watching the Nations Cup without Nigeria?
It was very sad for me. I was not happy that Nigeria did not qualify for the major football championship in Africa. It is still painful and the only way we can recover fully is to qualify for the next African Nations Cup in South Africa, next year and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. I am sure all the players in the Super Eagles will do everything within their power to make these come to reality.
On a final note, Nigeria will play Rwanda in an African Nations Cup qualifying match next Wednesday, what should Nigerians be expecting from you if you make the team list?
My prayers is for us to start winning matches both at home and abroad as it was in the past.
I wish to make the team list for the game in order to contribute my quota to the success of Nigerian football. But the most important thing is that we should win the match.
We (players) have learnt our lesson and I am very sure that every game will never be underrated again. We must start winning games again for Nigerians to ease the pain of not qualifying for the just concluded AFCON held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.