AS the Nigerians continue to mourn the Super Eagles failure to qualify for the 2012 African Nations Cup, Canada-based, Andy Iro, has sent in words, declaring that he is a potential material for the senior team, specifically the defence.The Joseph Yobo-captained Eagles were made to look ordinary last weekend in Abuja by the visiting Guinean Syli Stars, who sent millions of football-loving Nigerians to early bed after forcing the Eagles to a 2-2 draw. The result ended Nigeria's dream of featuring in the 2012 Nations Cup.After the game, an official of the Guinean team, Ndlaye Traore, described the Eagles as 'finished' and a team living on past glory.However, Iro, who plies his trade for Toronto FC in the USA Major League Soccer (MLS), says he is ready to solve the teams' defence problem if given the chance to lace his boots for his fatherland.'I am ripe to play for the Super Eagles,' he said in a message to The Guardian through his agent, Eric Beauchamp, during the week.Iro, who is 6ft, 5in tall, was born on November 26 1984 in Owerri, Imo State. His father, Paul Iro and mother, Rose Aru, are based in Liverpool, England.He was one of the top defenders in the American league last season, when he was voted Columbus Crew's Player of the Year. In March 2010, Iro scored the first Columbus Crew goal, as the team defeated Hoser FC.In July this year, he got transferred to Toronto FC, where he started every game under the famous Dutch coach, Aaron Winter. In the Toronto team is also Torsten Frings, who is one of the best players in recent years for Germany.The young Iro, who has nine brothers and a sister'all living in England'has been to Nigeria a couple of times, when he was growing up. But he says his last visit was in 2001 because he had to focus on his studies and his professional career.Speaking on Iro, Beauchamp said he believed that the Nigerian FA was not aware of the existence of 'such a quality footballer' in Canada.'Andy Iro is your fellow countryman and I believe that the Nigerian FA is not aware that he qualifies to play for the national team at the moment. I am using this medium to make the people of Nigeria aware that Andy will be proud to be considered for a call up by the Super Eagles.'He wants to play for Nigeria. He speaks and understands Igbo language very well and each time he watches the Super Eagles play on television, he feels being in their midst. Help me tell officials of the Nigeria FA that they have a good left foot centre-back player here in Canada. I am sure they won't be disappointed if he is given the chance,' he said.The agent, who works for a company known asInterLex Sport, which manages top players all over Europe, especially in the English Premier League and Spain's la Primera Liga, added: 'Iro has told me several times that he is hoping to win a call-up to play for Nigeria.'Iro grew up just streets away from Anfield, the home ground of Liverpool FC. The young Nigerian went to the United States to accept a scholarship at the University of California, Santa Barbara.After winning a national title with the Gauchos in 2006, he opted to remain at the Stateside instead of returning to Liverpool and was drafted by the Columbus Crew, before being traded to Toronto FC earlier this season.At the moment, the 26-year-old is hoping that his solid performances in the MLS and the CONCACAF Champions League will earn him a call-up to the Super Eagles, where he hopes to represent the country in big tournaments as the African Cup of Nations in 2013 and the Brazil 2014 World Cup.'It is something that I am definitely dreaming about and would love to be a part of my country's national team,' Iro said in a recent interview.'I have Nigerian heritage and it would be a very proud moment to get the opportunity.'I have had some great and very different experiences in my career. Coming from England to America after high school and going through the whole college experience is not a typical route for an English player. But being out here and playing in MLS has been a great thing for me and I believe it has made me stronger as a player and a person.'I love having new experiences and learning about life and I am grateful for having had this kind of variety.Having travelled extensively in Europe and Africa, he is planning a sightseeing trip to Brazil this winter. Before then, Iro and Toronto FC have an important date with FC Dallas in their final CONCACAF Champions League game on October 18.A victory would guarantee the Canadians a spot in the quarterfinal of the regional competition and would arguably be their finest achievement since formation in 2007.'We are determined to get to the next stage and keep ourselves alive in the tournament,' Iro said. 'Playing in the Champions League has added something to my game and my career and it is time for us to step up and continue our run.'According to Iro, playing for the Super Eagles would be doing his family proud. 'Obviously, the heritage is deep within me and I have spent a lot of time growing up there as a child. But they are a world-class team and it would be a dream to play for the Super Eagles.'But right now, I am just focusing on playing for Toronto FC and finishing the season strong. And I will accept whatever comes in the future,' he said.When Iro's former club, Columbus Crew, played host to Toronto FC on September 10 this year in the first leg of the USA Major League Soccer, Iro provided good cover for his side, winning 4-2 away to record its first ever victory against Columbus Crew.It was the first match for both teams since the July 15 trade that sent the Nigerian defender, Iro, and midfielder, Leandre Griffit, to Toronto FC for midfielder, Tony Tchani.Incidentally, another Nigerian, former Akwa United and Enyimba FC attacker, Emmanuel Ekpo, was on duty for the home team (Columbus Crew) on the day Iro and his mates made history. Ekpo had signed for Columbus Crew on April 15, 2008.Before the visit last month, Toronto FC had scored only five goals in the previous six games against Columbus Crew in the city of Ohio. Toronto FC had neither beaten the rival, Columbus Crew, nor captured the Trillium Cup in three previous seasons.
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