Former Tremendous Eagles striker, Benedict Akwuegbu, talks about why the Eagles misplaced the 2023 AFCON remaining, his taking part in days, and why he was nicknamed the ‘Austrian Bomber’ by followers on this unique interview with JOHNNY EDWARD
How did you are feeling when Nigeria misplaced the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations remaining to Ivory Coast?
I felt dangerous as a result of it was not the outcome we have been anticipating after going one aim up. It jogs my memory of how the Eagles misplaced the AFCON remaining at house to Cameroon in 2000. It was very painful. After a good first half, we sat again too deep defending and allowed the Ivorians to return at us they usually acquired the equaliser and went on to seal the win with one other aim.
What do you assume went improper within the remaining?
We weren’t so sturdy in midfield, which was an enormous downside for the staff on the match. We didn’t preserve the ball nicely sufficient and we performed with a lone striker, Victor Osimhen. In a remaining like that, Osimhen wanted a assist striker to get one of the best out of him to wreak extra havoc, in order that when the ball will get ahead they’ll preserve it and attempt to create one thing and rating. The midfielders have been removed from the forwards, which gave room to the Ivorians to dictate the tempo of the sport and create scoring possibilities. We didn’t have a inventive midfielder that would have dictated the tempo and tempo of the sport, in contrast to the Ivorians who had gamers holding onto possession of the ball. We’ve got loads of work to do going ahead. A few of us noticed this coming from the quarter-finals in opposition to Angola and within the semi-finals in opposition to South Africa. The South Africans performed higher than us however we gained. We have been fortunate in a few of the video games we performed. We struggled in opposition to Angola and it was apparent. A very good staff must be profitable by two to a few targets, that exhibits the distinction. We additionally want extra strikers as we solely have Osimhen. I used to be anticipating to see Kelechi Iheanacho begin the ultimate recreation as a result of he has the standard to create possibilities and rating targets as nicely. However from the look of issues we didn’t have one other plan apart from what we deployed from the second recreation. You would see that when he (Iheanacho) got here on late within the second half, he confirmed flashes and tried to create possibilities and rating, which we barely did earlier than his introduction. The likes of Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon have been well-studied and marked out however we couldn’t counter their technique. We’d like gamers like Reward Orban to pair Osimhen, who carried an excessive amount of stress at this match and this could not have occurred. The system we adopted at this match was accountable for our lack of targets. We have been too predictable. We’ve got to return to our conventional fashion of attacking soccer, which labored for us. The Eagles that performed on the AFCON weren’t the staff I anticipated to see.
So, how do you view the Ivorians triumph after nearly crashing out of the match from the group stage?
That’s soccer, it occurs very nicely in soccer. The Ivorians fought and deserved to win. Towards Nigeria, they put in all they needed to win the sport within the remaining, in contrast to after we each met within the group stage, which they misplaced. The Ivorians fought like lions within the remaining, which our boys didn’t do. Regardless of trailing within the remaining they stored pushing till they acquired the equaliser and the winner.
Would you say the sacking of coach Jean-Louis Gasset was a turning level for Ivory Coast?
I consider so. You see, soccer is enterprise, it’s only in Nigeria that we don’t see it as such. The Ivorians knew it and took drastic steps. If a coach shouldn’t be doing nicely, you sack him and produce anyone else. Within the English Premier League, the Bundesliga and Serie A, that’s the way it’s accomplished.
You have been a member of the Golden Eaglets on the 1989 World Youth Championship in Scotland, however you by no means made a single look. What occurred?
I can’t say what occurred however I used to be the youngest participant in that staff and was in Type 2 at St. Mulumba’s School, Jos then. The coach then late Sebastian Brodericks-Imasuen scouted me whereas I used to be taking part in a faculty match in opposition to Air Drive Secondary College. He invited me to the nationwide U-16 staff, which was an enormous step for me and I can’t overlook that. My look on the World Cup in Scotland served as a stepping stone to greatness in my soccer profession. After the U-17 World Cup in 1989 I used to be signed on by Mighty Jets of Jos for a payment of N5000. And I have to inform you my brother that was the start.
How did you are feeling being signed for such quantity again then?
I used to be not solely signed for N5,000. I additionally earned a wage of N800. That was a really large amount of cash then you’ll say. I used to be incomes greater than my class instructor then, however I didn’t let that get into my head, fairly it spurred me to place in my finest to justify the large payment paid for my signature. and my efficiency noticed me be a part of RC Lens in France.
You have been nicknamed the ‘Austrian Bomber’ by followers in Austria. What gave start to this title?
Sure, I used to be the best aim scorer within the league then. I used to be additionally one of the best overseas participant ever to play in Austria and I scored incredible targets. I scored so many spectacular targets in opposition to groups like Monaco, Bayern Munich and a number of different massive golf equipment within the Champions League again then.
You have been invited to the Austrian nationwide staff on the peak of your taking part in profession however rejected the supply, why?
In 1999, I used to be invited to the Austrian nationwide staff, however I selected to play for Nigeria. I used to be born in Jos and I began my soccer profession there. I like Jos, I like Nigeria. Nigeria made me. So it was simple for me to decide on Nigeria as a result of I believed taking part in for my nation of start can be a present of my patriotism, loyalty and love I’ve for Nigeria.
Do you could have any regrets taking part in for Nigeria?
I loved taking part in for Nigeria and I by no means regretted doing so. I served this nation for 19 years. I performed for the Golden Eaglets, Flying Eagles, U-23 staff and the Tremendous Eagles. I went on to make over 40 appearances for the Eagles and I scored 10 targets. I performed on the World Cup and Nations Cup. I gained silver and bronze medals with Nigeria on the Nations Cup. I additionally captained the Eagles in a pleasant match in opposition to Japan and Romania in pleasant matches. These have been nice moments for me as a participant for Nigeria.
What are you into currently?
I’m at the moment finding out soccer administration at Anglia Ruskin College in London. I’m additionally into soccer teaching, I’ve my teaching badges. I used to be the primary black soccer supervisor in Austria and I wish to replicate my document as a coach in Nigeria. I’ve performed the sport and I’ve studied it. I wish to contribute my quota and concepts too to revive our soccer glory.
Had been you a sufferer of racism as a coach and as a participant?
Probably not. However generally the followers make racist chants, shouting and calling you names, nevertheless it doesn’t trouble me.
What was your most memorable second as a footballer?
That shall be my first cap for the Eagles in opposition to Tunisia in 2000. It was a memorable feat for me. Towards so many odds, I used to be chosen to characterize Nigeria on the AFCON hosted by us nevertheless it was painful we misplaced.
What was it like taking part in alongside Austin Okocha, Finidi George, Nwankwo Kanu and Taribo West?
It was enjoyable for me as a result of I learnt loads from them. We have been unlucky to not have gained that AFCON however that squad will go down as one of the best I performed with.
