- By Taofeek Babalola
Former Flying Eagles midfielder, Ifeanyi Matthew has retreated his desire to play for the senior national team , the Super Eagles.
The 26-year-old midfielder believed that he has something to offer the team, especially in the midfield, if he is giving the chance by the team’s head coach Jose Peseiro.
“It is a dream of every player to play for his country and I will not hesitate to accept an invitation to play for the Super Eagles because it is a call to serve my fatherland,” Mathew who broke through from the national youth ranks told NationSport. “Helping the team especially in the midfield and provide the technical team with more options in that department. Also to help the team win matches.”
Noted for scoring beautiful goals, the former Kano Pillars midfielder said he’s yet to meet the Portuguese tactician, adding his impressive performances over the years with various national teams would stand him in good stead with the Super Eagles.
”I haven’t met with Coach Jose Peseiro but I believe and I hope one day he Peseiro will watch me play.”
The 26 years old was part of the national Under 17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) team that reached the final in Morocco in 2013. He was also part of the U-20 team that won trophy at the AFCON U-20 tournament in Senegal 2015 under Coach Manu Garba.
He was also part of the U-20 team to the World Cup championship in 2015 in New Zealand where the team crashed in round of 16. He was as well part of the home-based team at CHAN tournament in Rwanda 2016.
Speaking about his time at the national teams at different levels, Matthew described his experience with all the national teams as unforgettable.
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“I have achieved so much with U17, U20 and for the CHAN it was unfortunate that we didn’t go past the group stage in Rwanda in 2016 Chan tournament.
“I have played for U17 Golden Eaglets, U20 Flying Eagles and CHAN Eagles and playing for Super Eagles will always be a dream I want to fulfil,” he said.
The in-form midfielder currently plays for Swiss Super League side FC Zurich having signed from Norwegian Lillestrøm during last season’s winter transfer widow.
He has been in stellar form for his side , FC Zurich this season having played six out of the six league games with a goal and one assist to his credit.
In the summer of 2016, Matthew moved to the Norwegian first division club Lillestrøm SK, where he scored 20 goals and 18 assists in 196 competitive games and won the Norwegian Cup in 2017.
“My experience in European football has been amazing. I started in Norway which is like a gateway to European football. I left for Turkey which was more competitive and now in Switzerland is a different ball game. So far it has been a good experience. In Europe, the facilities are there unlike in Africa so there’s a big difference.”
Matthew, who played for Sardauna FC, El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri and Kano Pillars FC before he moved Europe, has called on the organizers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to further enhance the competition in order to produce the best players capable of playing for the national team.
The Imo State-born player, who was brought up in Kano is a fan of German Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund while his role model is former Ivorian international and Manchester City, Yaya Toure.
“I love watching him play and I mould my game just like him,” he said.
Matthew started playing football at very tender age and had a dream of playing at the highest level which received the blessings of his parents.
“My parents moved from East to the Northern part of Nigeria and I was encouraged by them to achieve my goals. My parents always support me to play football because they realize that this is what I am good at,” he said.
Matthew who tied the nuptial knot last year is expecting his first child with his wife.
“Being a married man has made me a better person and marriage make me grow and see life in a different way,” he stated.