Q: Congratulations on your promotion to League 1 Efe. How did you guys achieve that feat?
A: Thank you brother. Our promotion is due to God's grace, and also due to a lot of hardwork on the part of everybody in the team, from the chairman, to the directors, the technical crew, adhoc staff, players and even the fans who were solidly behind us all through the campaign like they have been always, through thick and thin. Consistency also played a big part because the former manager brought in a number of good quality players and the new manager did so too and we had a very good team. For the last three years we've worked as hard as we can and it paid off this season and we thank God for that.
Q: You are signed as a coach player at Bury but statistics show you have played 42 games in all competitions for The Shakers, scoring 4 goals and played q big part in your team's promotion. This is quite impressive. Can you talk us through your season?
A: It's been a terrific season for me, as I played regularly, like I have always done since joining Bury and in most clubs I have played in. I have missed the last five goals though because I was given a straight red card in one of our matches which is an automatic three match suspension. I went for a 50/50 ball and the referee felt that I went too hard. Luckily the team kept winning in my absence and after my suspension finished our coach decided not to change a winning team which is understandable. That's why I started on the bench today. Unfortunately we lost 1-3. We have another game to go and I will be happy with the gaffer's decision on whether I start on the pitch or on the bench. I played 40 league games and I can say that's a good achievement for me.
Q: Four goals in a season is quite an impressive acchievement for a defender. Many a midfielder would even be jealous of that feat.
A: Yes, I thank God for putting me at the right places at the right times but all through my carer I have always been a goalscoring defender. I would say goals run in our family because my brother Sam is a goal scoring defender too, and Akpo is a striker who's been banging in goals for fun in the Scottish Premier League. For me, I am a good aerially which makes me a big threat during set pieces and makes it easier for me to find the net regularly.
Q: With the impressive statistics you have on the playing aspect, have you been able to make any input on the caoching side too?
A: Oh yes! Fortunately, as a coach/player we sought and obtained permission for me to sit on the bench during those games I was suspended because normally when a player is suspended he cannot be on the bench. We got the permission and I did a lot of work from the sidelines and it showed. For today's game I decided since I was on the substitutes bench I wouldn't be doing that.
Q: Now that you have achieved promotion with Bury, how do you fancy your chances in League 1 next season?
A: As a team we will cope comfortably
Q: Have you been obtaining your coaching badges?
A: Yes definitely. By the end of May I will do my final assessment for my UEFA B license and after that, before the next season starts I will commence my A license.
Q: That's lovely. We wish you all the best in acquiring your badges, but after that, with the current trend of ex Nigerian internationals being giving coaching roles at home, if that happens will you be willing to bring your wealth of playing and coaching experience to Nigeria or would you rather prefer to be in the UK?
A: Oh yeah. That's one of the main reasons I am working hard to obtain my badges. Nigeria gave me a lot and I definitely want to give her back. If I have the opportunity I would gladly go home and do y bit. Nigeria has a lot of talents and I can use my wealth of experience, knowledge to manage these abundant talents.
Q: Obviously youth football is one place where an opportunity might readily come for you in Nigeria. Do yu have any experience working with youths?
A: I've done a lot of work with the youths. I was coaching the youth team all through last season and into this season but when our promotion campaign heated up I had to concentrate on the playing aspect. Two seasons ago I worked with the reserve team so I have loads of experience with youths and I am confident I can handle any of the junior national teams if given the opportunity.
Q: Ok.Let's talk about your brothers. Akpo is doing very good in Scotland, so is sam in Notts County. How does it feel coming from a footballing family, and being the leading light?
A: It's really great. We grew up in Nigeria. They were young boys when I was playing with Delta Steel Pioners and I took them to all my games. When I moved to England, I knew they were very talented so I paved the way for them and they came over and did very good. Sam has played in the Premiership, Akpo has played in the Championship and is painting scotland red with goals. It's lovely to be from a footballing family and I am very proud of them.
Q: Sam plays for the senior national team, Akpo hasn't. Do you think he can cut it in the senior national team?
A: Definitely! There's no doubt about that. Yes he can play for Nigeria but I told him to be patient and keep scoring and he will get a chance. Look at what he has done at Hibernians, he joined them just last January and he has scored regularly like he's being doing in all the teams he's played for in England. Also with his name, I don't see the reason why they will not give him that opportunity. They say they are going to change the system and give a chance to a lot of players and with the way he is going in Scotland, it shows he can cut it at the highest level so they should give him a chance too.
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