Godfrey Oboabona, one of the home-based players picked
for the Super Eagles’ 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), said that the car of
his dream is nothing than Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV).
Authorities on automobiles reckon that SUV come in
different shapes and sizes.
“There are more than two dozen compact-sized SUVs on the
market, “noted an expert on luxury cars.
“With base retail prices ranging from just over $15,000
for a two-wheel-drive Jeep Compass with a 4-cylinder engine and a manual
transmission to more than $36,000 for an all-wheel-drive BMW X3 with 6-cylinder
engine.”
Of course, the Compact Sport Utilities for instance,
offer all-wheel drive, comfort, safety features and more, hence Oboabona’s fond
admiration for the wonder-on-wheel automobile.
“I am not a car freak but I like sport jeep (Sport
Utility Vehicle),” the 23-year-old Oboabona said as a matter of fact
Oboabona earned
his place in the Super Eagles to the 2013 AFCON following his stellar
performance with Nigeria Premier League with the Sunshine Stars of Akure
defender, where he established himself as a free-scoring defender and team
skipper.
“I have benefitted a lot playing for the national team,”
Oboabona said on the eve of his departure to the Super Eagles’ pre-AFCON camp
in Faro, Portugal where he pulled the chestnut from the fire by being one of
the six local-based players that eventually made the South Africa-bound team. “
It is a great privilege being part of a great national team set up like the
Super Eagles and I have improved a lot especially with my composure and confidence playing in front of
a big crowd .
“Frankly, I’m so thrilled to be playing under Coach
Stephen Keshi. He has made me a better player because there are differences
between playing for the national team and club sides.
“He has been like a father, uncle and friend to me and I
count myself lucky to be playing under him because he distinguished himself
with the Super Eagles when he was a player.
“He actually told me to keep dreaming and without doubt,
he has really boosted my career both for my club and country,” he enthused, describing
his first experience with the national team set up with trepidation and fear.
Said he:“I was
nervous the first time I met coach Stephen Keshi at training ground and he told
us then that nobody was guaranteed a permanent
shirt in the Super Eagles, as such we must work hard to be part of the team.
“What I cherish
most in this current set up of the Super Eagles team is that we are all equal
in the presence of the coaching crew, whether you are local-based or
foreign-based professional. The truth is
that the foreign-based players relate well with the local players, and we are
like one big family.
“There is no secret about my game rather consistency with
my club, Sunshine Stars has helped me to have the opportunity of playing for
the Super Eagles.
“There are lots of things involved before you become a
successful footballer, but one factor is consistency,” he explained, as he
speaks on sundry details.
You were quoted sometime ago as saying that
Joseph Yobo is your role model and that he made you settle well in the national
team, what are your chances of playing
as long as Yobo for the Super Eagles?
Yobo is a very humble person, a great leader, a motivational
leader and reliable pal and he helped my stability in the Super Eagles. He
always encourages me to keep improving whenever I get the chance and I can’t
forget my first encounter with him. I felt great because this is a player I do
watch on television and coming close to him in the national team is a
privilege. Yobo is a patriotic Nigerian and I want to emulate him. One thing I have
learnt from Coach Keshi and Yobo is their act of patriotism and I am determined
to achieve success with Super Eagles too.
Did you see
yourself being a future Super Eagles captain like your role models?
I will wait for the time but I have charisma too and with
my exposure in the national team, I can always get better!
What was in your
mind before the Super Eagles’ final qualifiers against Liberia in Calabar? How
confident were you that Nigeria would beat Liberia to the Nations’ cup ticket?
I had sleepless nights before that encounter in Calabar. If Nigeria failed to qualify, that could be
the end of the journey since the coach could be sacked. Personally, I may not
get near the team again since a new coach might not give home-based players the
same opportunity like coach Keshi has done.
That was why I was everywhere on the pitch because my
survival depends upon it. I really thank God for helping me come this far under
coach Keshi.
Super Eagles will
tackle Zambia, Cape Verde and Ethiopia. How will you rate Nigeria’s chances in
the group?
None of the teams has 100 percent chances of qualifying
from the group, as such we would have to work hard. I believe we(Super Eagles)
have a slight edge, so nobody should write us off. All I know is that Super Eagles will qualify
ahead of Zambia but we must be careful about Burkina Faso and Ethiopia because
we don’t know much about them.
How are you coping in the midst of
foreign-based professionals in the Super Eagles?
It’s good to appreciate your colleagues and give them
their deserved respect. Most of them are my friends; they usually call me when
they returned to their clubs. We share many
things in common and they give me my deserved respect and that is why there is
so much unity in this team.
Would you still
like to continue your career in Nigeria Premier League after the expected trip
to 2013 AFCON?
Of course, I have a dream of moving to Europe soon, but
one step at a time. I don’t want to put that on my head for now and I have not achieved
anything yet. I am still hungry and my
future is very much bright, so I don’t need to rush, the best time is waiting
for my own time!
If you are to move
to Europe, which country will you prefer?
I hope of moving to Spain or England because that is
where the action is today but God knows the best place for me.
Who is your role
model in Europe?
I always look up to intelligent defenders like Sergio
Ramos of Real Madrid and Thiago Silva of PSG. They are great defenders and I
really look up to them.
Who is your favourite coach?
Coach Stephen
Keshi of Super Eagles.
What is your favourite food?
Rice and fish
Arsenal Kiev center back Michael Odibe could make a
return to the Italian championship, according to highly rated Italian sports
daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.
