Wilfred Ndidi has expressed confidence the Flying Eagles
will go all the way to become the first Nigerian team to win the FIFA U-20
World Cup in New Zealand.
And has backed backed his club Genk to contend for the Belgian championship
next season after they narrowly missed out on the playoffs in the outgoing
season.
He spoke to thenff.com
How is it since you
joined up with the Flying Eagles in the training camp in Nurnberg, Germany?
It has been wonderful because I have missed my friends a
lot.
You have already played your first test match with the team
after you came on in the first half as the Flying Eagles beat Hoffenheim U23s
5-2. How was the experience?
It was a good match, I was really happy to play again for
the team.
What are your
impressions on the performance of the team generally?
It was a good performance in a very standard game.
How has the training
and the general preparations for the U20 World Cup been?
It has been good and demanding. We are on our way to being
the best U20 team in the world. We want to win the World Cup.
You joined top
Belgian club Genk
in January. How has it been since then?
It was not an easy start for me as this was my first pro
club. I trained with the first team with so many full internationals. But I
have enjoyed a lot of encouragement from the coaches and players and this has
made it a lot easier for me to settle in.
At the beginning I trained and played more with the second
team, where I am a regular. Later, I started playing for the first team as a
left back and right back mostly as a sub.
I only played one full game with the first team and it was
quite interesting.
The positions you
have mentioned are not your familiar central defence position.
Yes, I have never played in those positions before I joined Genk. That was why I said
it was not easy for me at the start because I have not been playing my normal
position in the first team. I found it really difficult sometimes as a result.
I have discovered for instance that it is a lot easier for
me to play at right back than left back because I can make some actions from
right back and I am a lot more careful.
In the coming season,
do we see you playing in your familiar position in central defence?
I really hope so especially as we will have a new coach and
he will have to decide a lot of things.
What then becomes of
the coach who signed you – Alex Mcleish?
He is leaving at the end of the season.
What do you think you
could achieve with Genk
in the coming season after you came close to reaching the championship playoffs
this outgoing season?
We were really, really close to making the playoffs, but
many of the first-team players were injured at a crucial time of the season and
this affected us.
I believe the new season will be a great one for the team.
What are your other
targets?
The main focus is to win the U20 World Cup especially as Nigeria have
never won it. It will be great to achieve this even though I also know it will
not be easy.
This will be your second U20 World Cup after you also played
at the 2013 tournament in Turkey.
Your experience from Turkey
should rub off on your other teammates.
I was in Turkey
and gained some experience and I hope I can motivate my other teammates, give
them more confidence, at this year’s competition.
Would it surprise you
if coach Stephen Keshi called you up soon for the Super Eagles?
I am a young player and I believe I have many years to play
for the Super Eagles. If it happens now, I will thank God.
And would you then be
able to grab such a chance so as to establish yourself in the Eagles?
I will grab my chance even it means playing at left back, right
back or even as a goalkeeper (laughing). I am ready.
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