Ossai-Samuel’s father reveals he told God his son would play soccer

Nelson Ossai is a proud father. super eagles defender A cheerful Osai-Samuel. Ossai is based in Turkey but temporarily relocated to Abidjan for the African Cup of Nations to support his son.

In an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES in Abidjan, Mr. Ossai shared anecdotes and perspectives on a variety of topics, from the strong passion for football that runs within his family to the remarkable trajectory of his son’s career.

excerpt…

PT: Why are you in Ivory Coast?

Osai: I’m a Nigerian. I came here to cheer up my sons. They are all our sons, including my son. We will take the cup back to Nigeria. That’s why I’m here. I traveled everywhere with my son.

PT: Can you tell us a little about yourself? I know you played soccer too.

Osai: I was born into a soccer family and played on the team during my playing days.played against [Henry] Nwosu and others. I said to God, “When I have a child, my son will play soccer too.”

PT: Did your son like to play soccer or did you have to force or beg him?

Osai: he [Bright] He was born to be a football player, because from an early age he liked to go to the stadium with me. Whenever I want to go watch soccer, he always goes with me. He plays soccer for a small club and is doing well. Me and his mother had to follow him, encourage him, encourage him, and now he is here.

PT: What did you think when your son first wore Nigerian colors?

Osai: Until then, he did not have a Nigerian passport. The Nigerian government had to send a Nigerian embassy from Istanbul to hand over their passports. They created a passport at his apartment. We are happy that the Nigerian government discovered him. Our parents were happy, my sisters were happy, and his friends were happy. I was happy when he converted a penalty from behind in the friendly match against Portugal. Since then, they have continued to invite him to the national team.

PT: As a former soccer player yourself, when you watch your son play, do you ever discuss his performance?

Osai: We do that for an hour after every game. Even at his club level. I’m always there with paper and pen. When he gets home, even if he’s on his way, we talk about it. Football is our life. We can’t live without soccer. My life, my family, my woman and my wife are all about soccer. Even my wife tells him where he made a mistake, and as soccer players, we say it about an hour after every game.

PT: Besides soccer, what else keeps you busy?

Osai: all sports. My TV only has sports channels. My wife and I also love sports. I don’t listen to the news, only sports.

PT: Now we have Bright. Should Nigeria expect more Osaisu to play for different national teams?

Osai: They are still young so let’s wait and see. I won’t say it now because it might happen in the near future.

PT: What do you think about the increasing number of players born in the diaspora coming to play for Nigeria?

Osai: In our time, soccer wasn’t like it is now, so it was tough, and in my time, my parents didn’t let me play soccer, so I always forced myself to play soccer. This time I will allow the children as well.

In our time, no one encouraged us. They believed that football was only for garage boys, but now we encourage kids and that’s why it’s different from our time. I love it. Do you know how many Nigerians there are? We have a lot of children born to Nigerian fathers and mothers and they are good players.

Some of them don’t want to play for Nigeria because they are afraid of Nigeria. I’m a Nigerian. I am Nigerian and my children are also Nigerian. I married a Nigerian woman, so we are all Nigerian. No matter what happens in Nigeria, I am a Nigerian, so when my son said he wanted to play for Nigeria, I said go ahead and here we are.

PT: How are you looking forward to seeing Nigeria and your son at the next World Cup?

Osai: Africa is given more space in the World Cup. Why can’t Nigeria play in the World Cup? They gave us more space in the World Cup, so why can’t Nigeria play in the World Cup?

Looking at their current play, they are determined so I don’t see any reason why they can’t qualify for the World Cup. It’s over now. I know we’re already there with this team. nothing can stop us. If I don’t play in the World Cup, I think I’ll stop watching soccer.

Why not? We have the materials. There are still Nigerians playing in some clubs. You can mention boys like Eze, boys whose mothers and fathers are Nigerian and are good football players. they are there. If we bring them to Nigeria, Nigeria will be fine. The World Cup is ours, so if you beat all these boys, and these boys that we have now, and the way they’re going, and the coaches, why not? Is it?

PT: Do you think this coach is doing a good job?

Osai: How do I form a team? We bring in players from different places and they play for two days and come back. Now they’re combining themselves and that’s why you see them playing well. To get a national team, you have to put together a team for a while and get a coach. No manager can create miracles if players come for two days and then go home.

You call them from different places and they come and spend two days with you. Let’s take a look at what happened the few times they spent together. I don’t think this is a coach’s problem, but it’s important to get the players together and understand how each of them plays.

Look at Osimhen and Lookman.when Osimhen followed by Lookman. If you call them today and they play tomorrow, it’s not the coach’s fault. Please give him time. People working today cannot perform miracles. Give him time to develop these players together and let them get to know themselves. Nigeria will have one of the best teams after this tournament. Because Nigeria knows themselves well and they have new players among them so they will be fine.

For me, changing coaches is not a problem. It’s about getting the players together, getting to know each other, spending time together, going out together, eating together. This team is good.

PT: How do you relax? What is your favorite food, musician, actor?

Osai: I don’t think I have a favorite actress or a favorite musician. I’m glad there are Nigerians in Europe and even foreigners play Nigerian music in their stores. I love it. But for me, when they come to Istanbul and start running, there is no time. I love music and I feel proud to be a Nigerian when they play that music and I feel proud when I see white people dancing to that music. . I love it.