[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Watford of England forward, Isaac Success believes that the Super Eagles are under no pressure to qualify for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup because “we can do it. There is no pressure at all. I do not think there is an African country that can stop us when we are all fit and firing”. The former Granada of Spain man was speaking exclusively to aclsports.com before injury robbed him of the chance of playing in the AFCON qualifier defeat to South Africa.
“The only pressure we feel these days is that of getting into the team because there is serious competition for places”. That is a theme that seems to run through most of the players who are on the verge of playing for the Nigeria National team these days. Success continues: “I am not happy sitting on the bench, I am certain Kayode (Olanrewaju) is not happy sitting on the bench even though we want those playing to do well. We are determined individually to show what we can do when we get the chance to get onto the pitch.”
This competition for places works best for coach Gernot Rohr according to Success. He describes the German as “a very calm man” who “knows what he wants from his players and gives very clear instructions. He is also very relaxed because he knows that if you don’t carry out his instructions there are capable players ready to take over and do the job he wants.”
The 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup winner remembers the first FIFA World Cup he watched “it was the Vuvuzela World Cup I think. I was in Benin at the time, we did not have satellite TV so I used to always ask my mum for N30 so I can go to the viewing centre to go watch the matches”.
When asked if that experience helped him believe he will play for Nigeria, he responded with: “Never thought I will even make it as a professional footballer let alone play for Nigeria. I loved playing football, I desired to be a professional footballer but back then in 2010 I was so very far from where I am now. I can’t stop thanking God and my parents who kept helping me.”
It is so easy to think so many of the Europe based stars don’t care very much when it comes to the national team but Isaac Success’ face lights up all the time when he recalls winning the U17 World Cup in 2013.
“No matter how hard I try I don’t think I can explain it properly to anyone the feeling. Even though injury robbed me of playing in the final, I still enjoyed climbing the podium to pick our medals and trophy.
“When the Nigerian national anthem is played before any match, the feeling of responsibility, the fact that out of millions of Nigerians you have been chosen to put on the national colours..” he pauses and looks straight ahead “it is an incredible feeling. Honestly,” he said.
Success and many Nigerians will be hoping that the Nigerian national anthem will be played next European summer in Russia for the FIFA World Cup.
Interview with Isaac Success
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