Stephen Odey has reflected on the goal for his Swiss side FC Zurich in their final Europa League group game 1-1 away draw at Bulgarian side PFC Ludogorets on Thursday as well as his team’s chances against heavyweights Chelsea and Arsenal as the competition enters the knockout phase, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.
The Nigerian striker took just 21 minutes to open scoring in the FC Zurich’s match against Ludogorets.
Odey affirms that his team will be unfazed by the Premier League giants’ pedigrees should they are pitted against any of them.
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In an exclusive chat with Completesportsnigeria.com from his Zurich base, the former MFM FC of Lagos forward said: “We had already qualified before the last game but as a player you always want to give your best whenever you’re called upon.”
Odey added: “It was good for our confidence not to lose at Ludogorets, and we got the point.
“Now to the business end of the competition where we may face the big teams. We won’t be scared to take our chances against Chelsea, Arsenal and the other big teams.
“Games like these are why you want to be a footballer. To play in the largest stadiums against the biggest teams is the dream of everyone.”
On the goal – his second of the Europa League and 11th for the season, Odey reckons it’s always a good feeling to score as a striker and that he’s on course to hit the 20-goal target he set for himself this season.
“You always want to score once you’re on the pitch because that’s what you’re paid to do. So when the opportunity came, I was glad to take it and put my team ahead. I scored but the glory is for all the players and officials. It’s a collective effort,” Odey said.
The 20-year old is still optimistic of getting a look-in from the Super Eagles coach but would want to allow his goals do the talking for him.
He said: “I know that everyday I have to do better than I did in the last game and play twice as hard if I’m to get an invitation because the guys in the team are already doing a fantastic job.
“They’ve qualified us for the next AFCON. I will continue to work hard and when I get my chance, I will take it with both hands.”
Odey will next be in action for FC Zurich on Sunday when they play Lugano that parades Stanley Amuzie in a Swiss Super League game at the Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich.
By Johnny Edward
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COMMENTS
You have done well for yourself no doubt but I doubt if you are in the plans of Rohr for now because we have good options in that department.The likes of Blessing Eleke who has same goals ratio as you this season and Osimhen who has found favour of the gaffer we also have two premiership strikers in the persons of Nacho and Success and not to forget China based Ighalo who is firing at all cylinder
I think we are fully booked there but if you increase your goalscoring ratio by doing braces or more in a single game that will get the attention of the gaffer but 1 goal every now and again in a Swiss league may not do it for you.
Welldone Stephen, I perceive your time in the Super Eagels will soon come. Just keep working and like you said, when it comes take it with both hands. Good luck
my brother premiership or no premiership, any player that can give us close to 20 or more than 20 goals in a season should be in Super Eagles regardless of where they play. There is still serious competition a top 9. Nacho and Success goal per game ratio still leaves more to be desired. And with Ighalo just recovering from injury and now relegated to division 2 or maybe joining a new club in january, then his being in top form is not guaranteed. So there is now opportunity for Rohr to be forced to look out for new strikers. And Odey, who gave himself a target of 20 goals this season and already on course with 11 goals less than half way into the season, becomes a bright option. Osimen and Eleke also pushing strongly to stake their claim for top 9.
Keep working hard bro