Former Remo Stars captain and Home-based Super Eagles defender Junior Nduka has explained why he chose to continue his career with Sporting Club Delhi in India after spells in Nigeria and Iraq.
Nduka, who rose through the Remo Stars youth system before captaining the club and helping them win their first NPFL title, recently completed his move to SC Delhi, after a season in the Iraqi League.
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In this exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES, the defender discusses what attracted him to India, the lessons he picked up in Iraq, his approach to choosing clubs, and why financial considerations are also an important part of life as a professional footballer.
Excerpts…
PT: You have just completed your move to SC Delhi in India. What went through your mind when the opportunity came, and what ultimately convinced you to make this move?
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NDUKA JNR: I will say what went through my mind or came into my mind then was what the club is willing to offer because, aside from passion, we ain’t just playing for passion, we’re playing for money.
So that’s why I had to choose to go to Sporting Club Delhi. And aside from choosing money, it’s a good club. When I checked everything I needed to check, that I needed to know about the club, I had to go for it because I know it’s a good club.
It’s a good league, you know. People think all these countries are not footballing countries. No, they are. They play good football, they have the facilities.
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So those are the things that came into my mind and made me decide to go to India.
PT: You moved from Remo Stars to Iraq and have now moved to India within a relatively short period. How would you describe this phase of your career and how much has it challenged you as a player and as a person?
NDUKA JNR: Yeah, these leagues you just mentioned, it’s different ballgames in all these leagues. It’s a different ballgame in the Nigerian Premier Football League and the Iraqi Stars League as well.
So the little experience I got from the NPFL, combined with playing on the continent and the national team, I think I was able to make use of it in the Iraqi Stars League.
And now I’m heading to Sporting Club Delhi in India. It’s going to be a different ballgame there because of different teammates, different atmosphere, different weather, different terrain, different tactics, different style of play.
But as a professional, we know how to deal with things like this. And I pray everything goes well.
PT: What did you learn from your time in Iraq, particularly from playing in a completely different football environment, that you believe will help you succeed in India?
NDUKA JNR: Particularly, I would say what I learned from Iraq is adaptation.
You know, you’re going to a different country, playing differently from where you used to play. You just need to adapt quickly into their system, into their style of play, how they play, how they behave and all of these things.
PT: You were reportedly linked with other clubs before settling on SC Delhi. How competitive was the process, and why did you feel this was the right destination for you at this stage of your career?
NDUKA JNR: I would say it’s not competitive. I go for what I want, what I feel like is best for me as a football player.
And I saw so many comments, you know, which is their opinion. It’s not mine. Because they’re not going to feed me tomorrow after playing football.
So I know data is cheap these days. You can buy data of 100 naira or 100 MB and just come and see something and just, you know, write whatever you want and just go offline without considering the player.
So that’s how it is.
Imagine offering, let’s say, $3,000 outside the country and you want someone who’s playing in the NPFL to sit in the NPFL because they are not in a footballing country or because of what people will say and all of these things.
It is what I want. It is what I choose.
PT: SC Delhi are making their mark in the Indian football landscape. What have the club and the coaching staff told you about their expectations of you, and what role do they want you to play?
NDUKA JNR: I spoke with the club’s sporting director alongside the coach, but what we discussed is confidential.
But for me, I am going to help the club because they are a good club. Just like I said earlier, they’re a good team, a team who knows what they want.
You know, it’s just quite unfortunate we got knocked out in the Durand Cup against East Bengal in the semi-final.
So it tells you how prepared this club is and how far they want to go.
READ ALSO: INTERVIEW: Ogunbote speaks on what he expects as he leads Remo Stars against his former side, Sunshine Stars
PT: You are known as a defender who is comfortable playing out from the back and can also contribute from set pieces. What part of your game are you most determined to bring to the side or improve on during your time in India?
NDUKA JNR: They are a team who are already prepared. I am just going to help, to contribute, you know, to contribute with what I have, with what I’m bringing.
And just like you said, I’m a defender who can play from the back. Aside from playing from the back, I had to help the team to defend at first. Then trying to, and next passes, combine playing from the defence.
If the coach wants me, fine. And if he does not, I just have to maintain my role, my position.
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