Udoh wants action with Eagles in South Africa

The Super Eagles have finally achieved the Herculean task of qualifying for next year’s World Cup and one person who can’t wait to don the national colours of Nigeria in South Africa is Kingsley Udoh.

Early days

The young central defender who began his football career with Global Crystal Academy in Lagos came to national and global recognition as a member of the national U-17 team which conquered the world in South Korea two years ago.

Udoh was tipped to be a top choice central defender of the Samson Siasia squad to the U-20 World Cup, which was held in Egypt in September, but was dropped after allegedly going on trials in Europe without the consent of the coach.

He was also called to the Super Eagles camp for the 2008 African Cup of Nations, though he didn’t eventually make it to the final list. He also made his debut appearance for the team, under German coach, Berti Vogts, in a friendly game against Sudan.

Holding his own

However, the former Akwa United player is very confident that this time around, he will be one of Nigeria’s representatives to the World Cup because he believes the defence of the current Super Eagles needs a boost and that he would be able to give the likes of Joseph Yobo and Dele Adeleye a run for their money:

“I’m the happiest on earth now that we qualified and I am confident that I will be part of the team to South Africa. I’m sure of that because I know they need a player like me. I am not a push over when compared to the other defenders. Yobo and Adeleye have their pattern and I have mine so I don’t worry about that.”

Udoh disagreed with those who say the Eagles do not deserve to be at the World Cup: “The way the Super Eagles play is no reason why we shouldn’t be in the World Cup. However, I think we need to improve on our approach towards the game and I mean putting our 100 per cent strength. I also think we need to improve on our defence.”

No disadvantage

Udoh, who trained with the Flying Eagles before they left for the World Cup doesn’t believe that not playing in Egypt will in anyway put him at a disadvantage as former players and coaches are calling for the injection of fresh legs into the Super Eagles:

“My not going for the U-20 World Cup is a great sign of making it to South Africa; they suffered it because I’m the best amongst my colleagues. Siasia later apologised to me; he knows he didn’t do the right thing by dropping me. It wasn’t my wish not being able to play; it was because of the visa issue.”

As part of the 2007 class of Golden Eaglets who won the World Cup, Udoh also spoke about the performance of the current squad led by John Obuh, who went ahead to win silver after being beaten by Switzerland in the finals by a lone goal at the just concluded U-17 World Cup that was hosted by Nigeria.

He believes that the team did no justice by not winning the trophy, as compared to the feat he and his colleagues accomplished.

“They had no class, but they tried anyway. However, I believe you know that gold is different from silver,” he said.