FRANCE 98 – Nigeria -U. Okafor: “For us, the most important thing is to play entertaining football and have fun at the same time”

After some very poor preparation matches, you dominated SPAIN (match n°10), the pre-match favourites. How do you explain this Nigerian renaissance ?

“NIGERIA is used to springing surprises. In 1994, we surprised everyone in the UNITED STATES when no one was expecting it. In 1998, we are hoping to do it again and our good start against SPAIN augurs well for the games to come. There is no magic recipe. In Europe football has become a business. For us, on the other hand, the most important thing is to play entertaining football and have fun at the same time. The public seems to enjoy it, and so much the better. That’s our approach to the game and we won’t change it.”

What do you think of your next opponents, BULGARIA (match n°23)?

“BULGARIA, like SPAIN, is a very good side. Obviously we’ll have to be on our guard, but the essential thing is to be ourselves and simply go on playing our own game. We won’t let ourselves be intimidated by anyone, and we’ll try to take all the chances which might come our way.”

How are you enjoying your time at the château de Bellinglise?

“It’s very pleasant to be here in the north of FRANCE. It’s very quiet, we play cards, we talk about our families. I have left my wife and daughter in the UNITED STATES. Of course I miss them, but I’m happy to be here for the World Cup. They’re proud of me.”