FC Midtjylland Nigerian midfielder Izunna Uzochukwu in this interview with ’TANA AIYEJINA, talks about his eight-year sojourn in Denmark, why he wants a new challenge and more
How has the first part of the season been for you at Danish Superliga side FC Midtjylland?
It was very good for me and my teammates. We played 17 games, won 11, drew three and lost three. That is why we are on top of the league table in the first round of the season. For me, it’s an indication of the players’ determination to give their best.
If Midtjylland win the league, they will qualify to play in the UEFA Champions League. Are you looking forward to playing in Europe’s top club football competition?
Of course yes. It’s going to be a good experience playing in the Champions League against the best players in the world. It’s every player’s dream to play in the Champions League. But its dicey now for me because I don’t know if I will play in the Champions League if Midtjylland qualify. My contract expires in June and the club have offered me a new contract but I rejected it. I have spent eight years in Denmark and need a change; I need to play elsewhere. But right now, I am just focused on the league and hope to help my club do very well. But it will be nice to play in Europe. Let’s see how things turn out.
Where do you hope to play when you leave Denmark?
Really, I want to move out of Denmark and play in Western Europe, probably in France or any other country where I can learn new things in all aspects of the game. One thing is about making the right move as a person and another is about getting it right in your career as a footballer. So, I’m being careful in making a move because it’s going to be an important one for me and my career.
How would you describe your eight-year sojourn in Denmark?
It’s been a very good one. Though in life there is always the bad sides, I have mostly had the good times in Denmark. I have been able to win some personal trophies at Midtjylland. I won the Academy Championship in Denmark in 2008, I was named best player in Midtjylland academy while I was the club’s first team best player in the 2011/12 season. There has been a lot of trophies and personal honours and that has made my time at the club worthwhile. I haven’t won the Championship with Midtjylland but I helped the club place second in the league and emerge FA Cup runners-up twice. All these have made me a happy person in Denmark. But that is why I want to move and experience the challenges elsewhere. I think I have seen it all in Denmark and need to face bigger challenges.
There are some other Nigerian players namely Sylvester Igbonu, Femi Ajilore, Paul Onuachu and Rilwan Hassan at Midtjylland. What is your relationship with these players?
Our relationship has been a very good one; we are like brothers. Indeed, we are one happy family. And that is why it’s easier for us as black players. We do a lot of things together, crack jokes and play with ourselves.
Despite your performances at Midtjylland, you have been constantly ignored by the Super Eagles coaches. How do you feel about this?
One thing is being invited and another is knowing why you have been invited. For me, being left out of the national team is not a problem. One thing I have discovered is that the Super Eagles of today is not about performance. Most of the Nigerian footballers playing regularly for their clubs don’t get chances of playing for the national team while those who sit on the bench are given consideration to play for the Eagles. But I hope that one day, I will get the opportunity to play for Nigeria.
How do you feel with Eagles’ inability to defend their title, after they failed to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea?
It’s very sad that as champions of Africa, we will not be going to the AFCON, to defend our trophy. It’s sad. I think it’s a bad thing for us given the quality of players that we have. We lost qualification in our very first three group games. We should have beaten Congo and Sudan. But I hope we are going to learn from this mistake and move on. It’s really sad.
Would you consider playing for Denmark if you are invited, since you have been shunned by Nigeria?
Of course I will but my first priority will always be to play for Nigeria. If I get a chance to play for them (Denmark), I will consider it and take a decision but my desire is to play for Nigeria, my fatherland.
Did your parents support your decision to take football as a career?
Yes they did and this made things very easy for me. My dad and mum supported me and my brothers. Four of us were actually into football but only two of us succeeded. They were there for us spiritually and otherwise. They are very happy about our progress, so I never had any problem about playing football, right from when I made up my mind to use it as a career.
What were the major challenges you faced in the beginning?
In Nigeria, I think it had to do with poor officiating. I played some games for FC Ebiede in the league and the kind of experiences I had with officiating was really bad but it served as a lesson when I moved to Europe.
Who was your role model footballer while growing up?
I had so much passion for Claude Makelele. I always wanted to see him play. He was a very good mentor when he was playing for Chelsea. He is a fantastic player and I think we have similarities in our style of play.
Was it easy adapting to the harsh weather conditions in Denmark?
When I first got to Denmark, it was another world entirely for me. That was when I knew what was cold and winter. But people in Midtjylland helped me and I was able to adapt with time. It was really difficult then, going to a country where you had no family members. But I was able to cope and I am happy at how things have turned out.
Several African players have complained about racism in Europe. Have you been a victim of racial abuse?
Actually, I have been lucky not have been a victim but I think I have had issues on the pitch. For example, when players get angry, they use different languages but that’s how far it has got with me. Whites will always treat blacks the same way. Racism is everywhere. Once you have encountered it, just put it behind and move on.
What are your best and worst moments?
My worst moments were when I lost the FA Cup finals with Midtjylland in 2009/10 and 2010/11. It was two straight seasons and very painful. But my best moments were when I won the personal trophies and honours that I mentioned earlier. The honour also goes to my teammates as well because they contributed to the success story.
Who is the toughest player you have played against?
It is the Cameroonian midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba, while at Odense BK. It was always a battle to play against him. He is very big compared to my size, but I give him so much trouble. It was fun playing against him. Then you also had Peter Utaka, who was at the same club with Eric. It was always a fight playing against them. These are national team players, so it was a good experience for me.
A lot of South American and European players return home to end their careers. Are you thinking of coming back to play in the domestic league before quitting the game in future?
I am still a very young player, so I am not thinking of retirement yet. But the Nigerian league is getting better because of people’s interest in it. I can’t tell you where I hope to end my career right now because I don’t want to say something now and change my mind later. When that time comes, hopefully I will take the right decision.
If you were not a footballer, what would you have been?
I don’t think I see myself doing any other thing apart from playing football. I never saw myself doing anything else or even giving it a thought. Even when I retire, I will still be involved one way or the other in the game.
As a Europe-based footballer, how have you been able to keep off lots of female admirers?
As a footballer, you must pass through such experience but I have handled mine very well. That is why I haven’t had any issues. All I do is just keep to my girlfriend. That’s it.
What is your advice to young Nigerian footballers hoping to play in Europe like you?
They should believe in God and themselves. If they work hard and put God first, the sky will be their limit.
Where do you hope to be in five years’ time?
You are going to see Izunna in a bigger place five years from now. The more you get old in the game, the more experience you get. So, I still have a lot to offer as far as football is concerned.
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