From his burst into the international scene as a 16 year old in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazis climb to the top has known no bounds. From impressive performances with the Super Eagles at the Nations and World Cup to stellar outings with Italian top-flight club side SS Lazio, there is no stopping this Jos boy.
In this exclusive interview with Linda Ikejis Blog, the star midfielder shed some light on the Super Eagles, his beautiful wife Sandra, contractual situation with Lazio and many more. Read after the cut.
LIB: How did you feel when you heard of Sunday Olisehs resignation?
Onazi: I was really sad though, i said to myself not again!
LIB: Why were you sad, did you have a personal relationship with him?
Onazi: Not really, but the reason i was sad was because on several occasions when we have important qualifiers like this something always comes up. Either the coach is sacked or something happens ,then we start looking for solutions.
LIB: What was the general feeling among players when they heard of Olisehs resignation?
Onazi: Well, everyone has their own opinion which i respect and i just listen. But the coach has his personal reasons of doing what he did and i respect his decision.
LIB: Tell us about your family and siblings
Onazi: This is personal, i do not want to talk about my family for some reasons.
LIB: How did your family react to your decision to play football professionally?
Onazi: Well as we all know parents always want their children to become lawyers and doctors and all that. My dad never wanted to hear football but at the long run he had to agree. I started playing for the National U-17 football team in 2009 and when my uncle told him his son will be among the 21 players to represent Nigeria he was really shocked because he didnt know my whereabouts as at the time.
As God may want it, he watched me play football for the first time when we played at the World Cup (U-17) ,then he changed his ideas about how and what his children should do.
LIB: How do we prepare against the Pharaohs of Egypt in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers?
Onazi: Well we have a short time to prepare but we are all professionals . I believe in coach Samson Siasias ability to prepare us within the short time to confront them and win. I am very confident we will win the game.
LIB: What was your best moment with the Super Eagles?
Onazi: When we won the Nations Cup.
LIB: Your worst moment?
Onazi: When we drew against South Africa and didnt qualify for the Nations Cup and also when i got injured at the World Cup.
LIB: Congrats on your marriage to Sandra.
Onazi: Lol Thanks. White wedding will be by June, by Gods grace.
LIB: What attracted you to Sandra?
Onazi : Well she has been the one i knew i will get married to, since the first day i met her four years ago.
LIB: There have been allegations of players bribing their way into Super Eagles teams of the past by offering cash incentives and gifts to the coach. Whats your take on this?
Onazi: Well i have never done that and if i heard before i have not seen it since i came to the Super Eagles. Before the Nations Cup, Coach Keshi watched me play and invited me on merit. Till now i have been doing all i can, doing my best for Lazio and the National team. I have no other job apart from football and i have no other passion asides football. I always make sure i give 110% in every game because i know people are passionate about the game.
LIB: With two years left of your contract with SS Lazio is your club planning on giving you a new deal?
Onazi: I have been here all my life, like 6 years. I would love to have another contract but i also want to move on and change environment, experience another football life else where.
LIB: Nigerians love you because of your work ethic when on the field of play. What makes you so passionate and energetic when playing for Nigeria?
Onazi: Well i bless God for his grace in my life to have such energy. Also whenever i play football i think of people that cant eat or will have a bad day if we play badly, so i try to do my best to make them happy because some people will feel hurt if i play badly.
When we won the Nations Cup, the welcoming at the airport made me cry and i made up my mind to give my best whenever i play for my country.
The National Team is no mans house or village, so now that we have the opportunity to represent our country i do my best to even break records more than others who have served the country in the past.
LIB: Any last words for Nigerians?
Onazi: We love their passion for the Super Eagles and we will always do our best to put smiles on their faces as God gives us the grace to play for the country.
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