Born to Nigerian parents in London, Uche Ikpeazu has not forgotten his Nigerian roots. The powerful striker, who is on loan at Crewe Alexandra from Watford, in this interview talks about his career and more with ’TANA AIYEJINA
You are currently on loan to Crewe Alexandra from Championship side Watford. How is the season so far in League One?
I have been here before and like before, I feel very welcome and accommodated and I scored immediately I arrived, which made me feel great. Life here has been okay and we are like one family with one goal. It’s a huge club and I am happy to contribute to their success.
Your loan deal ends in January. What are you hoping to achieve with Crewe before you return to Watford?
I just want to score many goals, so that we can climb up the table and prove myself to people that I am good enough to play.
Do you think you can get a first team shirt at Watford, when you return to the club?
You never know in football and I am not really looking at that aspect right now. I am just looking at myself doing well here (Crewe) and if I do well, other things will take care of themselves. Football is all about chance. If the manager gives me a chance to play, I will give my best. So I will bide my time.
We have two other Nigerian players at Watford: Danny Shittu and Odion Ighalo. Are you close to both players?
I am not really close to Ighalo but obviously Shittu is a big player in England and having him around in the same club makes me feel really good.
You were born in England to Nigerian parents. Do you see yourself as Nigerian or English?
I see myself as a Nigerian. I went to school in Nigeria for a month and I have been there thrice, so I am Nigerian.
Ikpeazu (right) in action for Watford
So, do you know the meaning of your first name Uchechukwu?
Uchechukwu is an Ibo name and it means God’s will shall be done.
What were your experiences when you visited Nigeria?
My visit to Nigeria made me realise that one should never take anything for granted. It’s a great country with great people and I am proud to have parents from Nigeria
Are you hoping to represent Nigeria or England at international level?
Well, I haven’t really thought about that but to represent any of these countries would be great. However, I haven’t given it a thought yet. I’m still a young player and need to focus on my career. I know when the time comes; I will be able to take the right decision.
Recently, you were invited by Nigeria’s U-23 coach, Samson Siasia, as he tries to build the team ahead of next year’s All Africa Games and the 2016 Olympic Games. Are you willing to play for Nigeria at youth level?
Of course if I am called upon, I will play for Nigeria at that level. It’s a great honour to play for one’s country. I know Nigeria has a lot of great players doing very well all over the world, so if the U-23 manager gives me a call-up, I will honour it.
You are known for your all-action style of football. Which player do you model your style of play after?
I think I model my game after myself. I try to be myself because at the end of the day, I am my own player. But I try to play like (Didier) Drogba, he holds the ball firm, he is strong and scores loads of goals.
In your first loan spell at Crewe Alexandria, you became fans favourite after scoring a handful of goals. How will you describe that experience at the club?
My first experience at Crewe obviously was great. I think I learnt a lot from that first opportunity I got to play for the club and I am still learning. It was more positive than negative; it was a learning curve for me then. The fans were great and they still are cheering every member of the team. I wanted to score some good goals because of them and I tried to work hard because of the fans and that made me happy as a person.
You scored a hat-trick against Arsenal U18s while playing for Reading some seasons ago. How did you feel scoring thrice against a great club like Arsenal?
It was great, that was a couple of years ago. Scoring a hat-trick against a big side like Arsenal was a morale booster for me. It gave me confidence that I could become a better player if I worked hard and that has really helped me in my career so far. It was a nice experience.
Despite your high ratings in England, you have not been able to play in the English Premier League, where you have a youngster like Raheem Sterling playing for Liverpool. Do you feel bad about this?
No. I don’t feel bad at all. I am only 19 years and I think if I work hard I can get there. I am not disappointed; I had my injuries, which kind of affected me also. I have not been given the opportunity yet. Now I got the opportunity to play at Crewe, so obviously I can show people what I can do and maybe in the future, things will get better. But I’m not focused on all of that. I’m just focused on what I need to do now. The present matters because it will determine my future. So I have to do well first before talking about the future, that’s very important for me and I am happy I have the opportunity to do that at Crewe. I’m still very young and I don’t want to be in a hurry.
There is this impression that most English players find it difficult playing for clubs outside their country. Are you hoping to play professionally outside England in the near future?
I haven’t really thought about that yet. I just want to play football and the rest would be taken care of.
If you weren’t a footballer, what would you have been?
That’s a tough question but I think it would still have been something to do with sports and it probably would have been football because I love the game with all my heart.
Did your parents support your decision to play football?
They did right from the beginning and they have always been there for me with advice and encouragement. It’s great having them as parents. They have been very inspirational in my career.
What is your relationship with other players of Nigerian descent in England?
It’s very good. I know some of them. I have been to Nigeria and I have stayed there for few months, and I always want to get close to Nigerians because I love the country. We have a good rapport here in England and we know how our background is. I have a good relationship with Nigerian-born players.
You are at Crewe with ex-Manchester United trainee, Nicky Ajose. Do you both talk about playing for Nigeria?
No, I haven’t spoken with him about that.
Which Nigerian player do you admire most?
I think its Jay Jay Okocha because of how he held the ball, his dribbles and everything about his style of play. He was a very good player everywhere he played. He did some things on the ball that got me crazy.
Are you familiar with the Nigerian movie industry?
I would not say I am very familiar with the film industry in Nigeria but I watch Nollywood movies, though not too much.
Amongst the Nollywood movies you have watched, which is your favourite?
My favourite is Osuofia in London. I don’t have to think about that to tell you. The film got my ribs cracking and I can watch it over and over again.
What is your favourite Nigerian food?
It is pounded yam and ogbono soup. It’s a delicacy any day and I always want to eat it.
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