Interview - Strong Man Onyekachi Apam Dreams Of Greatness

Goal.com: Apam, how would you rate the past season?

It was okay. Nice finished ninth on the table, I played a total of 30 league games and five games in the cup. I believe I had some great games.

Nice even challenged for the title at some point in the season, only to suffer a loss of form later on. What was responsible for this slump?

I want to believe that our loss in the semi-final of the Coupe de la Ligue to a second division side, Vannes, really affected our season. We lost at home and before then, everybody was looking forward to us playing in the final. The loss depressed us.

On a personal note, what was the highlight of the past season for you?

Immediately after playing at the Olympics, we hosted Valenciennes and we won 2-0. I was told a had an awesome game. I also enjoyed our home game against Lyon, where I scored my first goal ever in France, and it was against my close friend, Hugo Lloris, who was at Nice the previous season. I hope to score more goals.

Nice tried to stop you from playing at the Olympics in Beijing, and it was even reported that they offered you a huge monetary compensation.

They held me back for as long they could and even took me along to pre-season in Switzerland. The coach, Frederic Antonetti, did not want to hear I was leaving for the Olympics. But I insisted on playing for my country in Beijing and had I not, I would not have given my best to Nice around that time.

And then Nigeria missed out on the Olympics Gold to Argentina, the same country Nigeria's Under-20 team, of which you were a key player, also fell to in the final of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands.

The team that went to the Olympics worked very hard and played as a team. We wanted gold and it hurt when we had to settle for silver. We could not put away our chances, while they got theirs and they took it. They were the better team.

Now, the target is qualification to the 2010 World Cup. Will Nigeria be at South Africa 2010?

We have a very big chance. We have two home games back-to-back. If we work hard and play to our potential, qualification will not be a problem. We are all committed to the cause, because we all want to play at the World Cup.

But besides the two home games, against Tunisia and Mozambique, Nigeria still have to go to Kenya on the final day of the qualifiers to get a result. Will that not also be a tricky challenge?

All our remaining games will be difficult, but we will take it a game at a time.

You are one of Nigeria's most consistent performers in the top flight in Europe, yet you do not appear to enjoy the recognition you deserve with the national team.

I want to play every match for Nigeria, but it is the coach who picks the team. No good player wants to sit on the bench but then, only 11 players can play in a team at a time.

Still with the national team, which is your best position there - central defence or right full-back?

My best position is central defence.

Will you, then, be willing to play at right full-back, after what many rated as a below par performance by you when you played in that position against Ivory Coast at last year's Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana?

Honestly, I do not think I played badly against Ivory Coast, but that's football for you. All the same, I played in that position against Jamaica in London this year and there was no problem.

Dele Adeleye partnered you in the heart of the defence, both with the national Under-20 team, as well as the Olympics team. He appears to have moved a step ahead of you in the last month or so, as he now pairs Joseph Yobo in the Eagles back four.

Dele has done very well in the past three matches he has played for Nigeria. He's a good player. I also look forward to getting my chance soon.

You have also been linked with a move away from Nice this summer. What is the latest in this respect?

Lyon and Olympique Marseille bidded for me during the winter transfer window, even after I extended my contract in October till 2013. I'm happy at Nice, I play regularly, I love the club and in return, they also love me.

You have certainly made great progress in the South of France.

I was not surprised. I know what I want and where I want to be. I also had a coach [Antonetti] who really looked after me.

Were you now to choose between Lyon and Marseille, who would it be?

I would love to play for either side. It all depends on the football side of things because I want to continue to play regularly, as I have done at Nice.

Rennes, where your former coach Frederic Antonetti has moved, are also keen on signing you.

There has been an approach from there. But I want to win trophies and play in the Champions League. I hope to decide my next destination in the next two, three weeks.

My agent has told me of interest in England and France, but he did not specify. Maybe we will have a clearer picture in two, three weeks. I'm not in any rush. Every good thing will come at its time, as long as you are working hard and doing the right thing.

Would you be disappointed if you eventually do not move?

Like I said earlier, I love Nice and I play there regularly, but everything is pointing to me leaving soon.

Where do you see yourself in two years?

To be at one of the top five clubs in the world.

Samm Audu, Goal.com