Echiejile still in World Cup dreamland

By the time the Super Eagles were concluding the qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Elderson Echiejile was still learning the ropes at Nigerian club side Bendel Insurance of Benin. But today he is on the verge of featuring at next year’s World Cup in South Africa after playing a pivotal role in the national team’s qualification for the tournament.

“This is nothing but a dream come true,” said the left-sided defender in a telephone interview with NEXTSports. “A few years ago who would have thought that I would be playing for the Super Eagles, but that is now the case and I give all the glory to God.” Echiejile’s journey to the Super Eagles actually began two years ago when he became one of the outstanding players in the Flying Eagles team to the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. Although the Flying Eagles failed to go beyond the quarter finals, Echiejile did just enough to get the attention of French side, Rennes, and Super Eagles selectors. He is the only player from that Flying Eagles team in the present Super Eagles.

The 21-year-old however had to wait until June 2 this year before making his debut for the Super Eagles in the friendly encounter against France in Saint Etienne. His performance in the match earned him a starting spot five days later in the World Cup qualifier against Kenya’s Harambee Stars in Abuja.

Taiwo rivalry

Although he was to lose his shirt to former first choice left-back Taye Taiwo in the double header against Tunisia on June 20 and September 6, a disappointing display by the Olympique Marseille defender in the 2-2 draw against the Tunisians in Abuja inadvertently saw Echiejile reclaiming a shirt for the last two qualifiers against Mozambique and Kenya. Despite appearing to have finally won the Super Eagles No 3 jersey from the more experienced Taiwo, Echiejile still look up to him.

“He (Taiwo) came into the team before me and he is someone I have a great deal of respect for,” he said.

“He is one of the best in the world and I have learnt a lot from him and will keep learning because once you stop learning you stop improving.” But after churning out another string of impressive displays against the Mozambicans and Kenyans, unless something out of the ordinary occurs between now and June next year, Echiejile looks a sure bet candidate for the World Cup. Once there, he hopes to play his part as the Super Eagles aspire to go beyond the second round for the first time.

“I don’t remember much about the 1994 World Cup but I know we lost in the second round. That was also the case at France ‘98 where we lost to Denmark,” he recalled.

“We didn’t even go beyond the first round in 2002 but with a favourable draw and some luck I think we have the ability to make it to the second round and beyond in South Africa.”