Mainz of Germany striker Anthony Ujah tells IZUCHUKWU OKOSI that he is working hard to get invitation to the senior national team. He also speaks on his future career.


Would you say being consistent for your club, FC Mainz  is good enough effort for you to get a Super Eagles shirt?

I believe that my form and fitness are the keys to my being involved in the team. I believe in hard work and that will get me to where I want to be. I'm not the kind of person that would cut corners just to achieve an end, I believe by God's time, I shall realise all that I set out to achieve in life.

Former Eagles coach Samson Siasia alongside current team's number two coach, Daniel Amokachi gave their words that they will give you a chance to prove your mettle but that dream did not happen, how do you react to that?

Well, I can't say anything about that. There is time for everyone and mine shall surely come. Invitation to the team is solely the decision of the coaches and my business is to continue to do well.

But there was speculation in some in sections of the media that you could leave Mainz very soon…

I have never said that I want to join another club. When did I sign for Mainz. I'm still and will be a
player at this club for the foreseeable future. I believe I still have to prove my mettle here. But in the future, nobody knows.

The Bundesliga was recently rated Europe's best league with the highest attendance. Do you really see the German league as being technically superior to the English Premier League and Spanish La Liga?

That assessment should be left to observers. The Bundesliga is one of Europe's best leagues, that is all I can say for now. The EPL may be enjoying all the media hype, but it might not be the best at the moment.

Let’s talk about the Super Eagles once again. Some sections of Nigerians crave for a national team that would involve players in the recent U-17, U-20 and some U-23 to form the nucleus of the team. Do you see that as a step in the right direction?

It will be nice to give the players who played in these categories a chance in the team. I think it is an interesting idea but we must not be carried away by the laurels achieved in the past. The issue is whether the boys are doing great when the coach draws up his list for any particular game.

Zambia won the Nations Cup against all expectations. Do you think that things would have been different if Nigeria had been at the Nations Cup?

I don't know but it was a wonderful tournament in the end as teams improved their games as the events moved up. Countries like Senegal disappointed but at least Ghana and Ivory Coast reached the semi finals. Who says Nigeria would not have made it to the semi finals as well if we were there.
But not a few people tipped Zambia to win the Nations Cup….

That is the result of good planning. The players have been together and the coach as well even though he had some spells elsewhere. It shows that continuity pays but such a team has to be managed by a disciplined coach

You have scored two league goals in the Bundesliga in ten matches so far this season. Perhaps, you need the presence of another Nigerian player in Mainz to improve just as you had Nosa Igiebor at Lillestrom of Norway where you scored 14 league goals….

You could be right but that is football for you. When I was at Lilestrom with Nosa, we wished we would never part ways. That understanding we had paid off on the pitch but at certain stage of your career, you may have a chance to move on and you will not be able to do anything about it. After all, we all want to better our lot.

Thank you so much for speaking with Complete Sports…


You're welcome.