Haugesunds versatile defender Ugonna Anyora will not give up on his dream to feature in the Super Eagles as he calls on coach Stephen Keshi to look his way in the build up to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.The Norway-based 20-year old, who can also play a midfield role, was discovered by scouts at INGAS Football Academy in Enugu State in 2010 before signing a three-year deal with the top flight club.Anyora had hoped Nigeria would qualify for the London 2012 Olympics as he nursed the ambition of joining the Austin Eguavoen team for the games but the U-23 teams exit has reduced his option to just the senior national team.He said, Its natural to feel sad for Nigeria after the loss, even though I was not in the team. It was obvious they tried their best but sometimes the best teams dont win competitions. Football could be that funny.I can understand the pain the players must be going through after the loss but we have to put the past behind us and forge ahead. There are many more challenges ahead for the national teams.I would have loved to be in the team had Nigeria qualified for the Olympics but when that option is no longer available, my hope will be to get a call up to the Super Eagles.My plan has been to work hard and pray the coach looks in my direction. Im happy that Nigerian coaches are calling up players from the Norwegian league, which gives me hope that my time will come. Fengor Ogude of Valenrenga was invited to the Eagles so it may be my turn next.I wont say Im coming to displace anyone from the Eagles. Im just going to do my best to earn the coachs confidence. There are quality players in the team and the coach knows exactly what he wants; I believe I wont have a problem proving my worth if I had the opportunity.Anyora, who had an impressive 23 starts in his 25 appearances for the club in the just-concluded Eliteserien season, attributed his regular playing time to the confidence his coach had in him.He said, My club gave me the opportunity to play. When the season started, I never thought I could have as much playing time because when I joined in 2010 I had only two appearances but God was on my side and the coach believed in me, so I got to play regularly.The coach believes that we can be at our best if we dont play under pressure and that has made the team perform better. We treat ourselves like brothers instead of teammates.Its a different ball game over there; different characters and style. Coaching style is different from Nigeria s because of the facilities and the environment. This doesnt mean Nigerian coaches are not good; its just that every coach has his method of bringing the best out of players in a particular environment. Norway is a very good place for young talents to grow. They give you the opportunity to play in the first team as long as you have the quality. My target is to use the opportunity to help the club succeed and also prove that I can play at the top level.Anyora is not planning on finishing his career in Norway as he hopes to ply his trade in the Spanish La Liga or the German Bundesliga; he has also not ruled out a move to England or Italy .He said, It doesnt matter where a player plies his trade. He gets to the limelight as long as he is good. There are great players in the Nigerian league but some of them just need the opportunity to show the world what quality they have. The young players can start their professional football in Nigeria or abroad as long as they have the opportunity to play regularly.Ive always wanted to play in Spain but if I get the chance to play in any other big league, Ill jump at it.
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