I CAN MAKE SUPER EAGLES BETTER!

FIND BELOW AN INTERVIEW I HAD WITH NEDUM ONUOHA ON WEDNESDAY 24TH MARCH 2010 AT THE CITY OF MANCHESTER STADIUM AFTER MANCHESTER CITY V EVERTON.....
HE SOUNDED EAGER TO PLAY FOR NIGERIA. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE NFF SAID HE REBUFFED THEIR APPROACH. SO WHERE DID IT ALL GO WRONG? WHEN DID HE CHANGE HIS MIND? HOW DID THE NFF APPROACH HIM?.......

ENJOY




Former England U-21 captain and Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha reveals his love for his Nigerian roots and believes that he can make the Super Eagles a better team in this exclusive chat with our UK Correspondent Johnny Ogbah at the City of Manchester stadium after their recent league clash with Everton.

Johnny: Nigerian football fans would like to know more about Nedum Onuoha. In your own words, please introduce yourself.
Nedum: I was born Chinedum Onuoha on 12th November 1986. I am from Abia State. I came to England in 1991 with my parents and siblings [two sisters then]. I have been here ever since. I attended Nelson Street Primary School Miles Platting followed by Hulme Grammar Private School in Oldham.

Q: How was life growing up and how did you combine your studies with playing football?
A: Life was beautiful growing up as I have a lovely family surrounding me. My parents were very supportive of my football career right from early childhood like most parents here in the UK are but they also ensured I did not toy with my books. They made sure there was a time for everything. So, I was able to combine both pretty well and made eight 'A' and two 'B' grades at GCSE. From Hulme Grammar Private School I moved to Xaverian College here in Manchester where I also made three 'A' grades at A-level.

Q: Aside football, where you involved in any other sports?
A. Yes I was. I was into many other sports growing up, especially athletics. When I was just 14, I clocked 11.09 seconds to come second in the final of the 2001 English School's Athletics Association Junior 100 metres contest. In the process I beat Craig Pickering who is currently a Great-Britain sprinter. I also still hold the national record hold for boys under 15 standing triple jump, in the Sports Hall events held annually throughout the UK, although the record is held with international long jumper Jonathan Moore. You can say that growing up I was an all rounder with regards to academics and sports, but football was always my first love.

Q: So how did you get into Manchester City?
A: Growing up in the great city of Manchester, I supported City as a kid. Then I joined the youth academy and came up through the ranks to where I am now in the first team. I started playing regularly for Manchester City's reserves in the 2003–04 season, and played made my first team debut in a pre-season friendly against Bury. My first team debut was against Arsenal in the Carling Cup on 27 October 2004, at the age of 17. Soon after I signed my first professional contract in November as soon as I turned 18, then made my Premier League debut as a substitute on 1 November 2004 at home to Norwich City before making my first premier league start against Portsmouth the same month and since then it’s been wonderful playing for Manchester City.

Q: What are the highlights of your Manchester City career?
A: Playing in the Premiership is always a highlight. It is the best league in the world and the games are just awesome. I have played many great games for Manchester City and I look forward to playing many other great games. Hopefully we will soon start winning trophies sooner rather than later. On a personal note, I have really enjoyed my career so far and the fans always show their appreciation whenever they see me. I was voted the Club Player of The Month in April 2009 and this year, despite the stiff competition in the team, I am also enjoying my game.

Q: Tell us about your international career.
A: I represented England at U-21 level after making my debut on 12 October 2005. I played in the 2007 European Under 21s Championship in the Netherlands where I was a regular at centre back, partnering Newcastle’s Steven Taylor. I captained the England Under-21 team for the first time in a 0–0 draw with Poland Under-21s. I also played in the European Championships in 2009 in Sweden.

Q: All these while you have been playing for England and for Manchester City, have you ever been approached by Nigerian officials to play for Nigeria?
A: Yes I was contacted a couple of years ago by Berti Vogts who said he would get back to me but I did not hear from him again. This was when the rules were different. Since the change of rules I am yet to hear from anybody again with regards to playing for Nigeria.

Q: How often have you been home since you came to England?
A: Unfortunately I haven't been able to visit home since we came over but my family do regularly. The way football works, in the summer when people go on holidays that's when we start training so it hasn't been possible for me to go home not that I haven't wanted to but I just haven't found a convenient opportunity.

Q: Do you follow Nigerian football?
A: I follow Nigerian football all the time. I'm the same as any other person, if you are born there that's where your heart is. It doesn't feel good to see the team not being as successful as it has been in the past. There is a lot of pressure now on the team for future success in tournaments to come and I hope and pray all the time for that to happen.

Q: Which Nigerian players do you follow?
A: Of course as a young Nigerian growing up when we won the Atlanta 96 Olympics, I loved to watch Jay-Jay [Okocha], Kanu [Nwankwo] and Sunday Oliseh. Now I like to watch the ones playing in the Premier league here like Joseph Yobo, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, John Obi Mikel, Kanu Nwankwo, John Utaka and Dickson Etuhu. I like to watch them to see how they affect their teams.

Q: Which of them are you in touch with?
A: Quite a few of them. We exchange banters whenever we come across each other in matches. I'm friends with Victor Anichebe. I don't see him as often as maybe I should but I speak to him as often as I can. I speak to him about the national team setting and he always speaks enthusiastically about playing for Nigeria. He says its very good and he always feels proud whenever he gets a chance to play and he is looking forward to representing Nigeria at the World Cup in the summer.

Q: Speaking about the World Cup, with the recent change in FIFA laws removing the age limit for switch of allegiance and thus making you eligible to play for Nigeria, are you willing to play for Nigeria?
A: Like I said before apart from the formal approach by Berti Vogts I have not heard anything again from anybody in Nigerian football with regards to playing for Nigeria but if they were to contact me any time soon my mind will always be open.

Q: So if you had an invitation from Nigeria now would you be willing to play for us?
A: I would have to weigh up my options but It's more than a possibility. I will give it favourable consideration. Being brought up here and playing for England has been a massive thing for me but in my heart I think playing for Nigeria is bigger! If I ever get the opportunity I will have to definitely give it a thought but like I said earlier, it's more than a possibility. My family are still very close to our roots and I will turn to them for advice and guidance in case of an invitation.

Q: What do you think are Nigeria's chances at the World Cup coming up this summer?
A: Well I think we've done very well to qualify and get there because only the top teams are left now. We go in with as much chances as any one because at the end of the day it's a tournament situation so on any given day anybody can win. Hopefully it can be our tournament with good preparation and dedication from the players and coaches. We can get as far as we can, possibly even get to the Final.



Q: What do you think you can add to the Nigerian team if given a chance?
A: You know the way it works in football, you never really get into a team if you are not as good as, if not better than something that's there before so I'd like to think that hopefully, if I do get a chance I'll be able to make the defence stronger and have a good base to help the attacking players to make a more successful team.

Q: And what are your targets with Manchester City?
A: Well Manchester City is a team to be reckoned with and we have every chance of taking fourth place in the Premiership this season.

Q: Thanks Nedum, It's been a pleasure talking to you.
A: The pleasure is all mine.