AKPALA: ‘WE WILL SHOW CHAMPIONS STUFF AGAINST KENYA’
Posted: Jun 01, 2013
Returnee W/Bremen striker,
SV Werder Bremen of Germany star, Joseph Akpala might not have impressed many soccer fans in the Super Eagles colours in the few appearances he represented the country since making his debut for Nigeria in 2008. However, the ebony-black forward who was drafted as a late replacement for injured Emmanuel Emenike is eager to prove his mettle when the Eagles battle Kenya in the coming week.
How would you describe your season generally?
Fantastic, it was a great experience for me as a player. The German Bundesliga is a different league entirely and the just concluded season was a tough one at Werder, we are not where we are supposed to be. We put in great effort even though we couldn’t win any trophy but it was no small achievement that the club remained in the Premier Division. All we need to do next season is to work harder and improve the performance of last season.
Joseph, you played a total of 27 matches scoring 13 goals last season, which is a remarkable feat considering the strength of the Bundesliga. What would you say was the key to success?
Of course it has been God’s favour and hard work which one cannot do without. Team work has been a factor too because I would not have been able to achieve that feat without the support of my manager and teammates. I just want to thank them for this support and belief. I think the success of the club outweighs individual success. What is really paramount for me is the success of Werder Bremen, irrespective of where the goals are coming from. I hope I will be able to get better next season and help the club achieve that aim of rubbing shoulders with the likes of Bayern and Dortmund.
Werder Bremen ended the season on the 14th spot in the Bundesliga, I bet that is not what most of the club’s fans wanted. It means there will be no Champions and Europa league actions next season. Where does that put you Joseph?
Yeah , it’s quite unfortunate that the club won’t be playing in Europe next season. Of course that is not where we want to be, but we just have to put that behind us and move on with a positive attitude. We would have loved to play in Europe next season but I think the setback of missing out could become our comeback. I see the management coming up with better plans that will help the club soar high and pick a champions league ticket next season. I am happy my contract is intact; I can’t wait to get the new season going.
You came to the club in 2012, are you willing to stay on or should we expect to see Akpala in another league in the coming season?
Of course I am staying. I have really enjoyed my game at Werder Bremen and going elsewhere is not an option. I have sorted out my future and it is here at Werder Bremen. I have extended my contract at Bremen till 2017. All that really matters now is to remain focused and justify the confidence the club have in me and the only way to do that is to take Werder Bremen to greater heights next season. For me personally, I just want to concentrate on ensuring that the club have something to cheer about next season.
On 24 May 2012, the Daily Express reported that West Ham United were ready to secure your services for £2Million, it all went up in flames. What really went wrong afterwards?
Yeah, I got a call from West Ham about the deal and it was nice to have offers from top clubs in England. In as much as I would have loved to move on, I think the negotiations between both parties did not go through. My club said I had a contract to abide with and they did not really reach a compromise with West Ham. I had to stay on, regardless, I am happy to be a Werder Bremen player today.
You chose to join Werder Bremen not minding the mad rush to English Premier League. Our readers would like to know; why the choice of Germany?
I think I chose well in the first place. Fine, offers were coming but I regard the German Bundesliga as one of the best leagues in the world. There, the game is different and it is not an easy league for strikers too. I think the German league is much higher in terms of pace, fitness and tactics. I feel this is the league that will really improve my game.
What is it like in the Werder Bremen dressing room?
Well, it is always interesting and we all get along well. I have a couple of friends in the team but Kevin De Bruyne is my closest simply because we both played together in Belgium. Elia Elhero and the other guys are my friends too. We all try to keep it simple in the dressing room and work together to lift the club on the field of play. The team spirit is good and that has also played a major role in our results. We will certainly get better in the coming season.
How do you cope with the interim boss at Werder; Wolfgang Rulf’s tough training schedule and mode of fashioning out a winning team?
It has been fine since I joined. I don’t have any problem with changing of the club’s manager, all that matters is for me to keep playing well irrespective of who the manager is. The coach told me to remain focused, he urged me to give my best and get tuned up to the training programme which according to him is different from what we have in Belgium. He told me Bundesliga is a different league entirely and urged me to be patient with the system.
Nigeria play Kenya on June 5 in Nairobi. Is Akpala under pressure to deliver in the absence of Emmanuel Emenike?
I am not under pressure to perform. All I need to do is to go out there and try to be myself by playing my game. I am happy to be back in the national team after my goal against France in Saint Etienne. It is just another opportunity to prove my mettle again as a striker. Honestly, I am not under any pressure to deliver the goods. As for Kenya, we have prepared well enough to get a good result in Nairobi. We will show champions stuff against the Harambee Stars. That Kenya game is the main topic of discussion in our camp.
The Confederations Cup is here, where does Nigeria stand among soccer heavyweights like Spain, Italy and Brazil?
It is awesome having Nigeria at the Confederations Cup. I know a lot is expected from the Super Eagles but we’ll see how it goes in Brazil. All I know is that everybody in camp is already looking forward to playing in Brazil this June. We just have to work hard and make Africa proud. It is going to be great playing against some of the best sides in the world. All the teams coming to Brazil are good enough to win the trophy but we just have to work hard. I came back to full action about seven to eight weeks ago, I have been playing since then. I am just excited to be back. It has been great meeting coach Stephen Keshi; I love his charisma and his managerial prowess which have seen him blend both home based players with their foreign counterparts. That is a major achievement. I look forward to working with him at all times and it feels great to be back.
Thank you for your time Joseph
It’s my pleasure! --------------------------------- Complete Spo
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