Before looking for better opportunities overseas, 30-year-old Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, a former Super Eagles B midfielder, was among the top players in the Nigeria Premier Football League. In this interview, ABIODUN ADEWALE discusses the difficulties he is encountering in the Middle East as well as the reasons behind the departure of elite players from the Nigerian league.
What is the current state of tension in the Middle East and Iraq?
Iraq has done well. We were a little concerned about the uncertainty when the problems began. As Iran’s neighbor, no one can predict what can occur in the next minute. The capital is two hours distant from Najaf, where I reside. Additionally, we read that some areas of Iraq were attacked, so you should anticipate some fear. However, some people were unaware that it had occurred, so things appear to be going OK on this side.
When the Iran-US-Israel conflict began, what was your biggest fear?
To be honest, I wasn’t scared. We faced difficulties even back home, and by God’s grace, I made it through. I have God, therefore there was no need to panic. The only thing that was questionable was whether they would discontinue the league, but we have continued to play ever since. I would have returned home if they had stopped.
How is football in Iraq, then?
Here, football is challenging, and they are striving for high standards as well. They are attempting to reconstruct since, in my opinion, they had already been impacted by conflict. They sign athletes from all over the world, including South America and Europe. I have to admit that the league is becoming more difficult. It hasn’t been easy since I joined my new club in January. My group isn’t performing well. There is a lot of pressure because we are the second-to-last person on the table. We are attempting to play our way out of this predicament since it is not looking good.
How do you intend to prevent relegation for your team?
I’m giving it my all both on and off the field since they blame the foreigners for the team’s poor performance. Even when the squad does well, they still give credit to their local boys rather than the foreigners. However, we are aware that foreigners are not the issue. There is little we can do if you don’t have quality local players to support you. Bring Messi and Ronaldo if you want; it will be evident if the local players are subpar. We are improving the squad, and I don’t want my reputation to suffer.
You have performed in three different nations since leaving Nigeria. Could you take us on a tour of these Arab nations?
I returned to Akwa United for roughly five months after leaving for ES Setif. After that, I relocated to Uzbekistan, where I played for Mash’al for two seasons. After that, I went to Iraq and played for Newroz for two seasons before going back to Uzbekistan for another year at Qizilqum. After that, I spent two more seasons in Newroz before joining Al-Ramadi, a team in the second level. Now, I’m back in the top division with Al Najaf.
What was the problem at ES Setif?
These clubs are mafia clubs, as you well aware. It was the president who signed me because he liked me. I wasn’t the player the coach wanted. The coach wasn’t playing me when I arrived, and the president fired him as a result. However, the new coach was no better; he brought his own players and didn’t play me at all. I had to let my contract sit on the bench for eight months before I canceled it because things got worse when the president was also arrested for money laundering. I went back to Nigeria because I knew I should have played but wasn’t getting the opportunity.
I was at Newroz for four seasons. I didn’t play when I first joined them because they were in the second round. I felt like a valuable member of the team. When we first joined them, there were approximately five of us, and we had to battle our way onto the team. We were able to play some games during the international break, and my performance won the coach over. I began the next game we played, which was on the road. For me, that marked the beginning, and I never stopped creating the initial lineup.They would give me an extension at the end of each season, and I made the decision to go away to another club before coming back to them. I consider it to be a second home. However, as stated that playing in Arab nations requires mental toughness because to their mafia-like culture. For the sake of their own players, they might come and expel you. As long as they are profitable, they don’t give a damn about how well the squad performs. I eventually departed the club due to a ligament injury that would have prevented me from playing for a month. Thus, the coach used that as an opportunity to add a new player from Tunisia.
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