Ramon Azeez arrived Spain three years ago from Nigeria to join Almeria and after two seasons in the youth side has broke into the first team, and has done so well in the top flight of Spanish football. He has enjoyed rave review and has been described as the “stopper ” that every football team needs.
After a tough start to the season with Almeria, the former Flying Eagles captain is hooked to the fight to avoid relegation in the La Liga.The Nigerian player had to overcome an ownership tussle in his early days in Spain to become an integral part of the team.
In this interview with vavel.com, the Nigerian youth International talks about his beginnings at the club, his current situation and plans for the future.
Although Azeez has made 9 apperances in La Liga for Almeria this season, he is yet to score. His club is 18th on the league table with 12 points after 14 games and probably will have to fight hard to avoid relegation.
Let’s start from the beginning in Almería. In 2010 the club bought you, but it took you a year before you became effective. What exactly happened and how did you live with that situation?
Ramon Azeez: In Africa it is very difficult to get the roles that are required to come to play in Spain and it took so long to make my move because of cash. I spent a year there and it was really bad because I could not play and all I could do was train by myself, Once the problem was solved, every other thing fell into place .
How was your adjustment to the city and the team?
The adjustment was easy because Almería is a small town and very comfortable. My relationship with my teammates went well from the start. At a point I met great people who made my adaptation very simple.
Since coming to the club you have always worked under the orders of Francisco. How important has been the influence of Francisco?
Francisco is a great person and a great coach. He knows what I can do and since I came to Almería,he has showed he has confidence in me and in my abilities as a player.
What do you think was the secret behind the three straight wins Almeria secured against Valencia, Valladolid and Osasuna?
Winning three straight games in such tough competition is very difficult and even more so considering the spate of negative results as we had, but with confidence and hard work we were able to change our situation.
After the match against Real Madrid, four games against rivals (Celtic, Espanyol, Betis and Granada). What is the mentality of the team?
The mentality of the team is positive. We have to go game by game and always think of winning.
Turning to personal appearance, have we already seen the best of Azeez? Or do you think you can improve and bring more to the team?
I think I can slowly improve and perform better. I just need to keep working hard during training sesssions and prove what I’m capable of doing anytime the manager puts me in a game.
This season we have seen that you improved your work as a destroyer of game in the midfield, but also have ability to reach the opponent’s box. What position are you more comfortable in?
I feel good in any position in midfield, either attached to the defence or closer to the front. I accept any role that the coach gives me on the field.
In the last two seasons you were regular in training with the first team, but only played a few minutes in League against Barcelona B side in the first game of last season.You got a yellow card and had to be changed, how do you remember that game ?
That game is something I do not like to remember because it was not easy to get to the first team. When I saw the first yellow card, it got me even more nervous and I did not really know what I had to do in the field . Then I had to be changed to avoid getting a second yellow card and leave the team a man down .
How was it like making your debut against Barcelona?
For me it was a happy day. Starting against a team like Barcelona, with such world class players involved, was a great joy for me. I have worked hard and have done hours of gym training to keep myself in 100 % shape.
2014 is World Cup year and your country, Nigeria will be in Brazil. Do you think you have a chance of making the Super Eagles team to the mundial?
The truth is that I do not think about the World Cup. I just want to work hard with Almeria and hopefully remain in the La Liga. I hope that by working hard together, the team could remain in Primera Division and hope for bigger things next year. And as for me, I hope to play every possible minute and grow as a player.
