Speedy striker Ugochukwu Oduenyi has remained focus after his dream to play at Manchester City fell short in 2015. He must have stumbled but quickly picked himself up after training with top players in the team under the tutelage of Manuel Pellegrini. He had high hopes of remaining at the imposing Etihad Stadium by signing for the English Champions but talks broken down between the club and his representative. The talented striker who currently plays for FC Minaj of Ukraine speaks with Taiwo Alimi and Samson Oti about his experience at the Etihad Stadium, relationship with Kelechi Iheanacho and the hopes of rerouting his career back to top flight in the future.
You were a product of Emmanuel Amuneke Academy; tell us about your journey to Manchester City training ground?
It was amazing! If there is any word I would use to describe it, it would be amazing! The enthusiasm started from Nigeria knowing that I am going to the United Kingdom to sign for a club like Manchester City. Honestly, it was amazing!
There was a picture of you and Kelechi Iheanacho in Man City…
Yes yes! I actually met Kelechi Iheanacho in the team! My seat at in the locker room was next to his, so we were always taking pictures hahaha! But it wasn’t just pictures with Kelechi, I also had pictures with Aguero , Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas , just like that! But with Kelechi we were more close at that time and he helped me a lot.
How were the feelings meeting Manchester City players like Aguero, Vincent Kompany and others?
I felt so proud of course! It gave me a lot of confidence that I was at the right path taking football as my career. I could remember that I used to watch these big players at a local viewing center in Nigeria, and meeting and just being in the same space as them was for me at that time a dream, talk less of taking part in training with them.
So what happened, you couldn’t seal the deal?
I couldn’t know much about the breakdown, but all seemed to be going very well. Patrick Vieira was speaking very well about me. I think it’s based on negotiations from the club and my representative. I really don’t know.
Do you have any regret not signing for Manchester City?
I don’t think regret is the right word because it wasn’t in my hands, but I think sad would be the right word. So it was sad not signing for Manchester City of course but I have zero regret over
my career as a footballer. It was sad that I couldn’t make up that great opportunity but I think I have to accept the fact that it was a journey for me. It was not my time. Of course, I might have fallen in love and want the move so bad but God at his time makes the perfect move for every player and that is why I so much believe that God’s time is the best. My moment will come. I am sure of that. I had moved on my career even though not to the extent I had wanted but I am working hard on a daily basis to achieve a greater height and cover the lost time. I am just working hard to get back to that level (EPL). I was there before and I believe I can be there again through hard work, determination and of course a bit of luck as well.
You signed for FC Minaj of Ukraine in the January window, how is life and football in Ukraine compared to your experience in Manchester City earlier?
I have never been to Ukraine, this is my first time and I must be very honest with you that the cold in Ukraine is really much compared to some other countries I have been to. Ukraine is extremely cold but I am adapting to the general life in the country. As a player, I have to adapt to such conditions with focus to become a better player and help my team and prove myself as a striker and I believe with time everything will be fine!
Shortly after you signed for FC Minaj, the coach who brought you was sacked for poor performance.
The game of football is all about going and coming. It is an established philosophy not only football but also in life generally, there’s no permanent champion, and life itself is spherical. I am very sad the coach left, I am grateful to him for bringing me in. Of course, he brought me and I would have wanted him to continue but it’s the decision of the club to bring me here as well to hire a new coach. Yes, the new coach has come, with his own ideas, his own philosophy. He hasn’t given me so much opportunity as I would want but I am patient and working hard and waiting for my moment. In a situation where clubs change coaches, players have to remain focused and keep working hard to justify your inclusion at any given opportunities. I am focusing on giving my best for the club. Working hard is my priority which I am doing already. I am focused, determined to help the team as well as to maintain 100% fitness rate.
FC Minaj are at the bottom of the table. Do you think you and the new coach have the magic to remain in the top league with three games to go?
Yes. We are at the bottom of the table, so sad for me but ultimately, I do not believe we are relegating. We are not going to relegate and I am very confident about it. As well as I have huge faith in the team and my team mates. We know the circumstances that could give us victory by going ruthless and fighting as a team to ensure the team remains in the topflight with the remaining three important games. I believe we have a great chance, we have a great squad. We must believe in ourselves. This is football, we don’t need to write ourselves off, we have a great chance, and it’s all about fighting for each other on the pitch and achieving the maximum target at the end.
In the pre-season games in Turkey, you scored some wonderful goals that mentally prepared you for games in Ukraine but you are yet to score for the club this season?
You are right that I had a good pre-season. I finished the pre season highest goal scorer with four goals. But like I said, I am adapting to life in Ukraine and don’t forget that I had issues with my paperwork when the second stage of the season started, and had to fly back to Belgium to sort out some papers before I returned back to Ukraine. Shortly after that time, I was injured from a tackle in training, and by the time i got back to fitness, our former coach had been sacked. We played the first friendly game under him and I scored again. Since the new coach came I haven’t been given enough opportunity but the team comes first before me. The coach chooses the team and if I am playing I will give everything and if I am not playing I will wait till I get my chance. I remain disciplined, focused and calm. I will not let the fact that I didn’t get playing time affect me mentally, This is football.
Your style of play looks like Roman Lukaku of Inter Milan?
Lukaku is a great player who has worked hard to reach that peak of his career. He plays total football when he was in England and his experience is paying off for him in Inter Milan. I have big respect for him. People say I play like him, but sincerely speaking I am not in his level yet but one day who knows. He’s a fantastic player and a role model! I admire him.
Where is the most beautiful place you have ever been to?
I have been to a lot of beautiful countries in Europe but I think the best place for now is Cyprus. It is a wonderful country.
If you were to choose between Messi and Ronaldo as the world’s best, who would you pick?
The truth of the matter is that the debate of both players will never end, they are two greatest players but I will choose Cristiano Ronaldo.
If not that you play football, what would you have become as a person?
It is football or nothing, I never compromise it.
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