Locomotiv Moscow of Russia forward, Victor Obinna Nsofor says in this exclusive interview with BAMIDELE BOLUWAJI that he wants to return to England to continue his flourishing career. He also wishes the Super Eagles best of luck at the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa despite being left out of the team for the CAF tournament
Obinna, it’s been quite some time now; can you tell us what is happening to your career in Russia?
I have been doing what I have been doing before. I have been playing for my team Locomotiv Moscow when it comes to playing and I am also doing my best for my team.
Coach Stephen Keshi released a list of 32 players for the AFCON 2012 taking place in South Africa but your name was not there. How do you feel about this?
Actually, I am not surprised about the list because, It has been almost a year I played for the Super Eagles last and I haven’t been given the opportunity or any invitation since then. But I have been playing regularly and I am satisfied with my form and what I have been doing for my team. Since It has been out and my name is not on the list, I am quite contented and happy for the ones that are going there to do the nation proud because they are the ones that qualified the team for the Cup of Nations and I wish them all the best.
Despite being exempted from this list, would you say you would still be available for the national team in the nearest future?
Of course, I am 100 percent available for my country any time. As long as I am fit, I am always available to play for the Super Eagles.
Does your absence from the national team have anything to do with the coaches?
Not at all. I don’t think so but the fact is this: I have been playing regularly since the beginning of this season but I have not gotten any call-up to the Super Eagles. I don’t know the reason but I still hope for the best.
Yes… you hope for the best but sometimes a player needs to talk to the national team coach to have a good relationship with him. Do you have a good relationship with the coach Stephen Keshi?
I could remember the last time I spoke with him, I called him when he was in America but he was asleep and asked me to call back and I called him back. Unfortunately, it went into voicemail and I left a message but I didn’t get any reply.
You played under coach Samson Siasia, what was the experience like?
I have always said it and I will continue to say it: he is one of the best coaches I have worked with. Anyone that has worked with Samson Siasia will agree with me. I don’t have anything against any coach that is working for the national team. Coach Stephen Keshi has been doing a good job and he has qualified the team for the Nations Cup and I give a lot of respect to him for what he has done both with the home-based and foreign-based players that are in the team as well.
From the list you have seen, do you think this Eagles can fly in South Africa?
I believe they can do well. The most important thing is to stick with what the coaches want them to do on the pitch of play. Once they can do what the coaches want them to do, with commitment, they will do well because there is a lot at stake. Nigerians are craving for glory. Once they can do that, play as a unit, as a team, I believe Nigeria can do well and win.
One thing that Nigerians will like to know is that with your absence from the AFCON 2013, how would it affect your career and the national team?
I don’t know because at the moment the competition is yet to begin, maybe after the tournament, Nigerians would know if my absence was missed or not. At the moment, I think the players there can do the job.
Since you moved to Locomotiv Moscow, nothing much has really been heard about you unlike when you were in England and Italy. What is responsible for this?
Well, the media in Nigeria prefer to focus on the English Premier League and some of the top leagues in the world. As a matter of fact, I know myself; I’ve been doing my best and representing my club at the highest level. It is left for the media people to point players that are doing well.
Do you have any plan to move out of Moscow any moment from now?
At the moment, I am happy with my team and they are happy with me. They are happy with my performance and what I’ve been doing for the team. But if there is another opportunity in the near future to go into another Championship, another league like the English Premier League, Serie A or Spanish League, of course, I will look into it and consider it properly.
If you are to return to England, which team would you like to play for, not bothering about your age or where you are playing presently?
I am not pointing at any team because in football you can never tell which team is going to come for you. The most important thing is that if a team is really interested in me and put a good contract on the table, my agent is there to look into it. The job of my agent is to
access all contracts and get a good deal.
Finally, for a player who started from the home front in the domestic league, what would be your reaction to the home-based players Keshi has invited for the Nations Cup?
It’s a great privilege for them. I believe that they are taking it with all seriousness. My advice for them is to keep doing what they are doing. They should make sure that each time they‘re given the chance to represent themselves and Nigeria, they should make sure they work very hard and give their best.