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Nairaland Forum / Entertainment / Sports / Meet Juwan Oshaniwa, Super Eagles Left Back @ Afcon 2013 (1688 Views)
Keshi Makes Changes As Aluko, Lawal, Oshaniwa Start Against Sudan / Nigeria Vs Burkina Faso - AFCON 2013 Final (1 - 0) - On 10th February 2013 / Who Is The Best Left-back In The World? (2) (3) (4)
Meet Juwan Oshaniwa, Super Eagles Left Back @ Afcon 2013 by Nobody: 6:21am On Mar 03, 2013 |
Juwon Oshaniwa is from yoruba speaking part of kogi(Okun). When Super Eagles left-back, Juwon Oshaniwa, stepped onto the pitch in the final game of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in February, a lot of apprehensive Nigerians queried, “Juwon who?” Their anxiety was expected. Just like Emmanuel Amuneke in the final of the 1994 edition— when the Eagles lifted the AFCON trophy for the second time— Oshaniwa was on the bench all through the competition, only appearing forthe first time in the final. The 22-year-old came on for the injured first choice left-back, Elderson Echiejile. But within minutes on the pitch, Oshaniwa had won the hearts of Nigerians with his amazing self-confidence , timely tackles, overlapping runs and ability to read the game very well. Now back at his club, Ashod, in Israel, Oshaniwa tells’TANA AIYEJINA about his experiences in South Africa, Israel and future expectations. * How has it been in the Israeli league since you returned from South Africa? It’s not been easy since I returned to Israel with the change of weather. I was battling with fever and malariabut thank God I am back on my feet and hopefullyI am going to feature for my club this weekend. *How did your team officials and players welcome you backas an African champion? The welcome back party was amazing, honestly it still beats my imagination because I never expected the reception I received when I arrived in Israel. Everybody gathered around me and threw me up and down, patting me on the back and singing for me as an African champion. It came as a surprise to me. * You didn’t get a chance to play in the competition until the final when you came on for the injured Echiejile. Howdid you feel sitting on the bench before the final? It’s part of the game, everybody cannot play at the sametime. I did take it in good fate and not with envy. So that was just it. Football is all about time and I was optimistic that my time will come and nobody can take that away. That is the fact. And you could see that I had a positive impact when I came on early in the game. *What was going through your mind when coach StephenKeshi told you to warm up to take Echiejile’s place? I felt it’s now or never; it’s either we take this trophy now or never. So, I was very strong mentally and determined to put in my best and eventually we came out victorious. * How did you feel winning the title the very first time youwere participating in the tournament? Honestly, I felt fulfilled and honoured. Our performance actually convinced me that winning the AFCON title was just the beginning of new and better things for the Super Eagles. * Several clubs would probably have come for your signature after the AFCON victory. Have you been approached? Yes, some have indicated interest but I want to concentrate now on my club so that I can end the seasonwell with them. * Are you looking forward to a move after the season? Yes, I will say if God is willing because unto His hands I commit my career. So let Him drive the wheel of my careerfor me. *From the group stage, most Nigerians didn’t have faith in the squad; did you believe you guys could go all the way and win it? Sure because whatever you do as a person and you are notconfident and courageous, then failure is not far away from you. But we did believe in our own potential and hard work and God crowned our efforts. At least everyonewas able to see what that yielded us eventually. * After which game in the tournament did you actually realise that the Eagles could win it? Starting from the first game against Burkina Faso. You needed to be in our camp and see what God was doing inour midst right from our first day in South Africa. * How would you describe Keshi? He is a great man. In fact he is a father, role model, mentor, brave and courageous man. *Since your winning debut against Beitar Jerusalem in September last year, how would you describe the Israeli league? It’s a good and challenging league for a start. It’s good for me and I like the country. * Why did you chose Israel ahead of other leagues in Europe? I would say that is where my God wanted me to start from and I am very happy beginning my European career there. *How was it like coping with new weather, food, culture, people and language initially? I am accustomed to all that now but it was not easy initially. As a professional, I should be able to adapt to anyenvironment I find myself. * What are your immediate plans as a footballer? I studied Agricultural Technology at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. I just got that as a security now. I neverknew I was going to survive in life with football but today, that is where my creator led me to. I only took football as a career immediately I finished school. I used to play for my school team and my parents supported me. * What are the major challenges you have faced as a footballer? Quite a lot I must confess, but I give God all the glory. Scripturally everyday is full of challenges but what makes you a man is when you are able to overcome these challenges. So, I thank God for the grace to carry on in spite of all those challenges. *Do you have any worst moment as a footballer? Can I remember any? Okay, I guess it was when I was with Lobi Stars of Makurdi years back. I sustained an injury thatkept me out for a whole season. It was a big problem then and I really don’t want to talk about it. *Who is the toughest opponent you have played against? It is Jefferson Farfan, who plays for Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga. I encountered him when we played Peru last year in a friendly game. That guy is skillful, has good technique on the ball, very fast and he has got a lot of energy and strength as well. But I was able to keep him out even as a home-based player then. *Who is your role model? It is England and Chelsea left-back, Ashley Cole. His work rate is very high and he is creative as well. He is a player I want to emulate. *Not much is known about you. Which state are you from? I am from the Yoruba-speaking(OKUN) part of Kogi State. |
Re: Meet Juwan Oshaniwa, Super Eagles Left Back @ Afcon 2013 by Akshow: 6:51am On Mar 03, 2013 |
No be this guy almost cos us blunder for final when echejile or What is the name of that our left back got injured 70mins into the game? |
Re: Meet Juwan Oshaniwa, Super Eagles Left Back @ Afcon 2013 by joseph1013: 3:06pm On Mar 03, 2013 |
I almost died when this guy came unto the field. He was so jittery. He should up his game cos his performance was not convincing enough. |
Re: Meet Juwan Oshaniwa, Super Eagles Left Back @ Afcon 2013 by kawazaki(m): 5:38pm On Mar 03, 2013 |
The way our footballers dash themselves ages is very amazing. This guy studied in ABU, even if he did that simultaneously while playing for Lobi,he can't be 22. 1 Like |
Re: Meet Juwan Oshaniwa, Super Eagles Left Back @ Afcon 2013 by ayusco: 9:10pm On Mar 03, 2013 |
I think say na only me see am before went to uni got injured for a whole year joined other clubs went abroa and is only 22? Hmmm OK o |
Re: Meet Juwan Oshaniwa, Super Eagles Left Back @ Afcon 2013 by mensdept: 4:51am On Mar 04, 2013 |
Juwan may be a cool guy, but I doubt he's going to be on this team in the near future |
Re: Meet Juwan Oshaniwa, Super Eagles Left Back @ Afcon 2013 by semid4lyfe(m): 9:14am On Mar 04, 2013 |
Juwan Oshaniwa is a DISASTER. I had my heart in my mouth for the few minutes he played in the final against Burkina Faso. Had the match lasted longer, Burkina Faso would have penetrated through his wing and scored. |
Re: Meet Juwan Oshaniwa, Super Eagles Left Back @ Afcon 2013 by fogman1(m): 2:02pm On Mar 06, 2013 |
@ all It is not easy to be called up at a big stage like Afcon final. Jittery, etc is expected of him, since he didnt played in the group stage to gather confidence. So please let allow him another chance. |
Re: Meet Juwan Oshaniwa, Super Eagles Left Back @ Afcon 2013 by TableLeg(m): 2:04pm On Mar 06, 2013 |
Age check please ...... |
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