Super Eagles striker, Nnamdi Oduamadi speaks about his FIFA Confederations Cup experience with the national team, and his return to action after an injury stopped him in Brazil. In this interview with Complete Sports' Johnny Edward, Oduamadi also speaks about his return to AC Milan after a loan spell.
Congratulations on your recent exploits with the Super Eagles?
Thank you my brother. I'm so delighted and I hope to do more for the team.
What was it like to return to the starting line-up after so long a time without playing?
It was a completely new feeling but it was certainly different. When you've been out for close to seven months, it takes a while to get everything straight into your head in a team where they are used to winning. Luckily, my coach and team-mates have treated me extremely well because that’s important when you're finding your way back to a team blessed with so many exciting players. For us players… confidence comes from games and minutes. They expect you to get past your markers like you use to and that I'm getting back to the level you all knew me. I'm grateful for the opportunity which to me shows faith and that has given me the boost I need.
Did you ever expect to attain this height with the team during the World Cup qualifiers and at the Confederations Cup?
Well, I wouldn't say I envisaged it but with the level of commitment and hard work in the team, no one should be surprised at the level of performance we had at the tournament. But on a personal note, I never imagined all this happening to me as fast as this with the Super Eagles on my return but that’s why football is so enjoyable and good to play. We were just unlucky not to have defeated Uruguay. I felt so bad when I got injured in the first half; I really wanted to force it to play but I couldn't just move freely like I would have loved to do.
Speaking of the national team and with the Malawi game coming up, how important is it for the Eagles to win that encounter?
It's extremely important because if we don't reach the final, the critics will say we're not the team we showed some promise to be. If we win, it'll be business as usual but we still have the play off to think of again. We've created this pressure for ourselves over the past few weeks but we know we have to live above it. This team never gets tired of playing football and always want to win. I think we're the major power at the moment but there may come a time when it would be difficult for us to keep repeating the success like we did at the Nations Cup.
How painful was the defeat against Uruguay?
It’s so painful because we had a great chance to win that game. At 1-1, we felt there were some chances for us but it was unfortunate for us. Forlan's goal was a heart breaker because they took their chances and that was the big difference. It was disheartening to have played so well and went on to lose such a game.
Could you tell us how you you're recuperating from the injury now?
I had to return to Milan for check up my ankle to know the extent but that now there's no cause for alarm. I will be returning to my team for pre-season.
That means you'll be fit for the World Cup qualifier against Malawi in September?
It was a knock not and not a serious injury per se. I will be fully fit. It's a must-win game for us and we would do all we can to win and qualify for the final play-off round of the qualifiers. I just pray that our last two defeats won't affect our ranking so that we could get a favourable draw going into the play-off.
There are reports that you are on the verge of signing an extension with Milan, could you tell us the more about this?
I don't want to talk about that for now , when everything is settled I make a statement. I was on a year loan at Varese and now we have to wait to see what will happen at the beginning of next season.
Most Nigerians have criticized the Eagles' attack for the manner at which they squandered so many scoring opportunities at the Confederations Cup, do you think we can rely on those strikers?
Of course… we can. Everyone need support and I believe that the team would come good before our next games. It was unfortunate that we missed such chances but this often happen in football and that doesn't necessarily mean our strikers are bad players. We know how it feels for a centre-forward when they go without scoring and those who played in that position were an out-and-out centre-forward.
What would you always remember this edition of the Confederations Cup for?
The record I set being the first African to score a hat-trick at the competition was one of the high points for me in the tournament. I should also confess that I was a bit lucky to be in the right place at the right time to score those goals. I’m very pleased with all the matches I've played for the Eagles so far and it’s the first time I scored three goals for the national team. I will savour the moment for now and I will continue to cherish for a long time to come. I ‘ll say congrats to all my teammates who offered the assists too.
How motivated are you to make the 2014 World Cup squad after featuring for Nigeria at the Confederations Cup?
We are all very motivated and committed to the cause of our World Cup qualification even if we could have sealed the berth to the next stage if we had defeated Kenya. I'm relishing a second chance to play in Brazil again and that is why I'm doing everything to ensure that I prove myself to be there.
Results counts in football and I want to believe we won't lack that confidence in our remaining fixtures. Playing in front of the Brazilian crowds was very special for all of us and that is very important because it would spur us to be prepared for greater challenges ahead. We will certainly be motivated to qualify for what is unarguably the great football tournament in the world.
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