Popular singers, Chibuzor Oji, aka Faze, tells JOHNNY EDWARD about his love for late striker Austin Okocha, Chelsea and who deserves to lead the Super Eagles to be great again, among other issues, in this interview.
Were you involved in sports while growing up?
I did a lot of things while I was growing up but I used to be a decent footballer back then in school and I used to play table tennis. But singing was just like an escape route to reach out to people and convey my emotions to them. I still play football for fitness till date, but back then in secondary school it was fun just like table tennis.
Did your parents support your dream of being a footballer?
No, they did not. But it was my elder brother that actually stopped me from playing football because he wanted me to go to school. Also I always found myself among players who were better in some ways.
Did that discourage you?
In a way it did because I felt if my it was not my calling, how would I stand a chance? Maybe if it was now I would have fought my way to play football but now it’s late, but back then it was an outright no for me.
Who was your football idol?
The Austin Okocha remains my greatest Nigerian player, Sunday Oliseh – I remembeer his goal against Spain back then in Festac. We didn’t sleep because we beat Spain 3-2. Everybody loves Okocha because of his mesmerising skills.
Why did you choose Okocha as the greatest?
I loved him because of his skill. He had good passes was amazing watch. Even if he didn’t score, it made goalkeepers tremble. He always made something out of nothing in attack when he had the chance.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have shared the spotlight in world football in the last decade, with the Argentine winning six Ballon d’Or title as against the Portuguese’s five. If you were a coach and you had to pick one player amongst both, which would it be?
Before I choose, I’d like to mention that these guys are phenomenal on their own. Messi is a bundle of talent, while Ronaldo is a hard worker, a product of training. Football comes effortlessly for players like Messi. Brilliance and magic can come off his boots, but for Ronaldo, anybody who loves hard work will appreciate the former Manchester United and Real Madrid legend. And because I’m a natural person and I love the innate abilities in humans, I will go for Messi, but it takes nothing away from Ronaldo.
Looking at the current Super Eagles squad, are you impressed with the team?
I think Victor Osimhen has been outstanding for Nigeria in the last 18 months. I was happy that he won the African Player of The Year award. He deserved it. Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Kenneth Omeruo, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi are some other players that are doing well.
The Eagles are currently without a coach currently and there are talks that a local coach should replace Jose Peseiro. What do you think?
I think the foriegn coaches have done enough to develop our team. We have experienced coaches who are Nigerians that can take the team to greater heights. You mentioned Emmanuel Amuneke, Sunday Oliseh, Finidi George and Michael Nsien who is a national team coach with the US U-19 team. We just need to give good support to make the Eagles rise again like the late Stephen Keshi did.
Which football club do you support?
I’m a Chelsea fan through and through.
Why the love for Chelsea?
It happened that my elder brother was supported of Chelsea and also blue is my favourite colour.
What do you think needs to be done to make the Blues great again?
The club needs to appoint a good coach that can inspire the players and lead them when they get stuck during crucial moments. They also need proper restructuring and balancing of the squad. We must also get a good striker and with a bit of luck and consistency, the goals will flow again.
