Heartland of Owerri defender, Chibuzor Okonkwo, tells IZUCHUKWU OKOSI in this interview that coach Stephen Keshi and his team will need to work hard if they must win the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa.
Chibuzor, what’s your take on the Super Eagles group for the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa?
The group will be a very difficult one because we are going to play against some tough teams, but I believe that Nigeria will qualify from that group.
What gives you the confidence that the team will make it out of a group that has the current African champions, Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia that proved their mettle during the qualifiers?
If we want to win the next Nations Cup, then we must beat the best teams and Zambia is one of them. Yes, they are the defending champions but I know the team will be ready for the challenges ahead. The Zambians must be beaten and we have no choice if really we want to fulfill our dream of winning the title for the third time.
Do you see the game against Zambia in January as the toughest in the group or do you think Burkina Faso and Ethiopia could spring some surprises?
I think the game against Zambia will be our toughest game because of the quality of both teams. Zambia will see the game as the chance to avenge their losses to Nigeria as you said earlier and of course Nigeria is highly rated. Obviously, they know who their biggest threat will be in Group C.
Is there any group you think would have been easier for Nigeria?
All the groups are even. There will be no easy group in the 2013 Nations Cup. There could be upsets here and there. In such a big tournament, you should be expecting some shocking results. On paper, some teams are favourites but paper does not play football.
If I ask you to predict which four teams will reach the semi-finals next year, which countries would you predict?
Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d' Ivoire and Zambia are my tips for the semi-final slots. They have the strongest sides at the moment.
Cote d'Ivoire are always rated high because of their big stars but they have failed to win the Nations Cup since 1992. Are you giving them the chance to re-write that piece of history?
I believe they can but of course I want Nigeria to win. There could be a lot of factors that will ultimately determine the champions, but these countries will reach the latter stages of the competition
What are those factors?
Good preparation, fitness level of players, absence of in-fighting between the FA and the teams, and good officiating.
Do you think countries like Cape Verde that proved to be giant-killers during the qualifiers will find the Nations Cup proper a different terrain?
Absolutely, I think they will struggle to replicate such forms because a lot of these factors I enumerated earlier could derail teams from playing to their potentials, but at the Nations Cup proper, the situation is different because it’s a window for most players. But I don't see Cape Verde repeating that giant-killing strength during the Nations Cup proper.
Do you think Cameroon and Egypt will be missed following their failure to qualify for the Africa Nations Cup for the second time?
Yes... Samuel Eto'O is a big ambassador of the game in Africa and we also have lots of great players in the Egyptian team. So, I think both countries will be missed. However, I know it will still be a big competition in South Africa.
It’s been wonderful speaking with you...
It's always a pleasure, you're welcome!
Chibuzor, what’s your take on the Super Eagles group for the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa?
The group will be a very difficult one because we are going to play against some tough teams, but I believe that Nigeria will qualify from that group.
What gives you the confidence that the team will make it out of a group that has the current African champions, Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia that proved their mettle during the qualifiers?
If we want to win the next Nations Cup, then we must beat the best teams and Zambia is one of them. Yes, they are the defending champions but I know the team will be ready for the challenges ahead. The Zambians must be beaten and we have no choice if really we want to fulfill our dream of winning the title for the third time.
Do you see the game against Zambia in January as the toughest in the group or do you think Burkina Faso and Ethiopia could spring some surprises?
I think the game against Zambia will be our toughest game because of the quality of both teams. Zambia will see the game as the chance to avenge their losses to Nigeria as you said earlier and of course Nigeria is highly rated. Obviously, they know who their biggest threat will be in Group C.
Is there any group you think would have been easier for Nigeria?
All the groups are even. There will be no easy group in the 2013 Nations Cup. There could be upsets here and there. In such a big tournament, you should be expecting some shocking results. On paper, some teams are favourites but paper does not play football.
If I ask you to predict which four teams will reach the semi-finals next year, which countries would you predict?
Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d' Ivoire and Zambia are my tips for the semi-final slots. They have the strongest sides at the moment.
Cote d'Ivoire are always rated high because of their big stars but they have failed to win the Nations Cup since 1992. Are you giving them the chance to re-write that piece of history?
I believe they can but of course I want Nigeria to win. There could be a lot of factors that will ultimately determine the champions, but these countries will reach the latter stages of the competition
What are those factors?
Good preparation, fitness level of players, absence of in-fighting between the FA and the teams, and good officiating.
Do you think countries like Cape Verde that proved to be giant-killers during the qualifiers will find the Nations Cup proper a different terrain?
Absolutely, I think they will struggle to replicate such forms because a lot of these factors I enumerated earlier could derail teams from playing to their potentials, but at the Nations Cup proper, the situation is different because it’s a window for most players. But I don't see Cape Verde repeating that giant-killing strength during the Nations Cup proper.
Do you think Cameroon and Egypt will be missed following their failure to qualify for the Africa Nations Cup for the second time?
Yes... Samuel Eto'O is a big ambassador of the game in Africa and we also have lots of great players in the Egyptian team. So, I think both countries will be missed. However, I know it will still be a big competition in South Africa.
It’s been wonderful speaking with you...
It's always a pleasure, you're welcome!
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