John Noble, the goalkeeper for the Super Eagles, discusses his dream for the Eagles, the disappointment of the 2022 AFCON in Cameroon, and other topics in this interview with Ebenezer Bajela.
Despite not getting to play, you were a part of the AFCON 2021 in Cameroon. Do you believe you merit a starting position on the team?
I don’t really know if I deserve a spot on the team, but if I had been given the chance, I’m sure I would have done well and given it my all. However, those who were given the chance succeeded, so all I had to do was cheer them on and support them while I waited for my turn.
I’m still sure that my time will come, and when it does, I’ll be prepared to give it my all and be certain that I’ll perform even better.
How devastating was the loss considering the Eagles were considered the favorites when they were eliminated by Tunisia in the round of 16?
I personally felt awful because it was my first time participating in the AFCON and I really wanted to advance to the final and experience it firsthand. However, since we were unsuccessful in reaching the final, I felt awful. We simply had to move forward, let the experience go, and hold out hope for the best.
We just hope that as the team moves through these AFCON qualifying rounds, they will succeed and make sure we qualify so we can represent the nation with pride.
How accurate is the rumor that there was dissension on the team after the loss?
I honestly don’t know about that; all I know is that following the loss, everyone was upset, which is typical of teams, especially when a lot is expected of them. It also hurt that we didn’t advance to the next round because we really wanted to win the competition. We were all upset, but I am unaware of any division in the team.
Before the players returned to their clubs, how was the atmosphere in the camp?
It is common to feel bad when you want something and don’t get it, and that was the situation in the camp because we were all dejected. We really wanted to win, but it didn’t happen, and the mood wasn’t great at all. Eventually, we had to let it go and focus on what we could do better. We hope that this time, we will qualify for the AFCON and advance to the final.
There are rumors that officials have informed you that your refusal to accept payment for your allowance will prevent you from receiving an invitation to the Eagles. How accurate is that?
Well, I’m not the coach, and the Nigeria Football Federation has never once mailed or written to me to say that I won’t be invited to the national team again due to any problem. Since they can’t invite everyone at once, the coach only extends invitations to those he feels are necessary at the time, likely based on recent performance.
Because it is about the success of the nation and not just individual interests, I just hope everyone who has the chance makes good use of it.
You still haven’t played for the Eagles. How do you feel about this?
I won’t say that I’m unhappy because, as I already said, I’ll keep working hard, be patient, and have faith in God that the day will come. It will be up to me to use it wisely when it does arrive. The reality is that you can’t just decide one day that you want to mount the post for the Super Eagles; other people have been there before me, and I will simply have to wait for my turn because my dream of playing for the Eagles is still alive.
Who were your closest friends while you were in Cameroon with the club?
Frank Onyeka will be that person because he is a very quiet person who values hard work and has a winning mentality. He was constantly encouraging me to keep working hard, and I believe that during our time spent together in Cameroon, I learned a lot from him.
Even though you didn’t play for the Eagles, would you say that you learned anything from them?
Because Alloy Agu has had such a big impact on my life and career, I’ve learned a lot. He is an excellent trainer because he understands how to relate to and communicate with us. Even when our goalkeepers give up goals, he knows how to speak to them and restore their spirits in a way that makes them want to play better. I can say that he is my father because he continues to reach out to me and sends me prayers even now.
It was thought that you ought to have been invited before the other two goalkeepers at the most recent AFCON qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau. Do you feel disappointed once more?
In all honesty, I was hoping for the invitation, but when it didn’t materialize, I had no choice but to move on. I don’t wish people harm, so whoever was invited should just do a good job of representing the nation, since the nation comes before people when discussing matters of the individual. The important thing is for the nation to qualify for the AFCON in Ivory Coast because only then will I be considering attending another AFCON. If I wasn’t invited this time, I may be called upon in the following qualifiers.
Will you accept an invitation to the squad if one is extended to you?
Since Nigeria is my country and it is my desire to one day mount the goalpost for Nigeria and see how I can help the nation reach the top, I will unquestionably honor every invitation. I will definitely honor the opportunity if I am given it.
What is the physical state of the average domestic football player in Nigeria? Are they enjoying life to the fullest?
In this kind of situation, I can only speak for myself, but most of the time when you look at Nigeria Professional Football League players, you see them and they look good, but they are not who they seem to be on the inside. Everyone is making the most of their lives because we all have crosses to bear. As for me, I’m doing everything I can to live the best life possible so that I can provide for my family.
The majority of NPFL players quit the league to play in some obscure European leagues. What do you believe is to blame for that?
Everyone in Nigeria views Europe as a place to make money, and since some NPFL players are not earning the money they want here, we see it as a starting point before we travel there in the hopes of finding something better.
