Galvanised by his World Cup experience, Nigeria international Kenneth Omeruo has his eyes trained on becoming the best African defender and establishing himself at Chelsea in the coming seasons after signing a four-year deal with the English giants.
Snapped up by Chelsea in 2012 when he was only 18, Kenneth Omeruo certainly has a bright future ahead of him.
He is yet to make his Stamford Bridge bow but Omeruo’s heartening performances at the World Cup can only have embellished his blossoming reputation.
At 20, Omeruo is still in the embryonic stages of his senior career but he’s already a veteran of 21 appearances for Nigeria, having made his debut for the Super Eagles in an international game against Cape Verde Islands in January 2013.
At the World Cup, Omeruo played every minute of Nigerian’s Group F games against Iran (0-0), Bosnia-Herzegovina (1-0) and Argentina (2-3) as well as the 2-0 defeat to France in the Last 16.
No wonder Omeruo’s eyes brighten up as he expresses his delight and gratitude at getting the chance to play in a World Cup at such an early stage of his career.
“Yes I did (have a great time),” Omeruo said an interview with The Sunday Times of Malta during a short holiday on our islands.
“It wasn’t something that I expected to come this early in my career. It was amazing. The fans were great. Everyone was looking forward to the World Cup and yes, it was a great experience.”
Omeruo is bristling with confidence after cementing his place at the heart of the Nigeria defence that came up against some of the world’s leading forwards in Brazil like Lionel Messi, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Edin Dzeko and Karim Benzema
“Definitely,” Omeruo, whose unassuming demeanour belies his towering frame, replied when asked if his involvement in such a high-level tournament has benefited his game.
“After the games, I see fans commenting and friends saying how well I played. That really is a boost. I think I’m more confident now playing anywhere I want to play.”
Although Nigeria and Algeria were the only two African nations to emerge with credit from the World Cup after Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Ghana failed to make it past the group stage, Omeruo feels that his team’s chances of making further progress had been jeopardised by injuries.
They proved more than a match to France in the first half but the loss to injury of Ogenyi Onazi, following a reckless tackle from Blaise Matuidi, dashed their hopes as Les Bleus struck two late goals to reach the quarter-finals.
“Like you said, we were unlucky (in the last 16 match),” Omeruo said.
“France also have a good team. We got a couple of injury problems in our team. In the match against France, we had to change a player (Onazi).
“Even working towards the tournament, we got injury problems as well. I think we had a good team. The team was well prepared and the coaching staff were great.”
A month of exhilarating football and unrelenting drama will reach a crescendo tonight when Germany meet Argentina in the World Cup final at the Maracana.
Having encountered Argentina in the group phase, losing narrowly 3-2, Omeruo is not surprised that Messi and co have made it all the way to the final but he will not be rooting for them tonight.
“I expected Argentina to get to the final,” Omeruo observed.
“Also Brazil... I wanted Brazil to go all the way because I’ve got some of my (Chelsea) team-mates in their squad. I knew Germany had a strong team to get there. Now my support goes to Germany.”
“Why?” I enquired.
“Because I lost to Argentina,” he replied with a wry smile, “and also because I’ve got a team-mate in the German team, Andre Schuerrle (the Chelsea striker).”
Who are the favourites for the final?
“I think it has to be Germany,” Omeruo said.
Despite going through to the Last 16, Nigeria’s World Cup campaign was not without controversy as a pay dispute tarnished their build-up for the France game.
I expected Argentina to get to the final. Also Brazil... I wanted Brazil to go all the way because I’ve got some of my (Chelsea team-mates in their squad
Last week, Nigeria grabbed headlines for the wrong reasons after FIFA banned the country from international competition after the FA officials were fired by the government over their handling of the financial row during the World Cup.
“I was surprised to see the news,” Omeruo said.
“I just hope everything is resolved on time so that the other teams, like the women’s side, can go to the World Cup. Also we’ve got the qualifying matches for the (African) Nations Cup next month. I hope that things will be resolved.”
For the umpteenth time, African teams failed to make a telling impact at a World Cup with Cameroon, like Nigeria, embroiled in a row with their federation over bonus payments and Ghana driven by in-fighting which resulted in two of their best players, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari, being expelled from the squad on the day of their crucial Group G game against Portugal.
The African nations have a tendency to self-destruct at major tournaments and Omeruo blamed administrative shortcomings for their struggles.
“Organisation, you know preparing for the tournament, the preparation is always late,” Omeruo said.
“During the tournament, (there were) some things like still asking to be paid some wages. These are issues that should be dealt with on time. These problems should be taken care of before the tournament.”
At club level, Omeruo feels that his career is panning out in the right direction as loan spells with Dutch club ADO Den Haag and Middlesbrough have helped him to improve his game and adaptability.
“It has been really good,” the softly-spoken Omeruo remarked.
“From the Dutch league, I gained a lot of experience, playing total football and coming to England, where they play good football and also a lot of long balls... it’s a different game.
“The fact that I could do well in both countries, I took those advantages into the World Cup and it came out good.”
Another season-long loan looks on the cards for the Nigerian starlet with Chelsea willing to sanction his return to Middlesbrough.
“Yes, it’s possible,” Omeruo said about the prospect of rejoining Middlesbrough.
“It hasn’t been agreed yet but there is a good chance.
“I have to look at other options as well. At the end, I will sit down with my agent and with Jose (Mourinho) and decide on the best option.”
While Omeruo has no qualms about going back on loan to gather further experience, his aim is to establish himself at Chelsea after penning a new four-year deal with the club.
“I’ve got a good chance,” he said.
“I just have to stay focused and keep giving my best anywhere I’m playing.”
Omeruo was at Standard Liege in Belgium when Chelsea came calling but it was his performances for Nigeria at the 2011 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia that persuaded the Londoners to sign him.
“After the U-20 World Cup in Colombia, I was told Chelsea were looking at me, before and after the tournament,” he said.
“The club felt I was good enough to be offered a contract.”
Asked whether he had been approached by other clubs at the time, Omeruo replied: “At that point, no. I was already at Standard Liege in Belgium. “
The World Cup gave Omeruo the perfect platform to showcase his abilities in front of a global audience, including thousands of scouts. His performances haven’t gone unnoticed.
“There been a lot of interest after the World Cup,” Omeruo said.
“As I said, I have to speak with the manager to be allowed to speak to other clubs and make a decision.”
The game has been blessed several top-class defenders in the last decade but for Omeruo, two stood out from the rest for their skills.
“There were a couple,” Omeruo said. “I used to love watching Lucio (the former Bayern Munich and Inter defender). He was very strong.
“And obviously Rio Ferdinand.”
Omeruo still has a long way to scale the heights achieved by his role models but he is determined to follow in their footsteps.
“I want to be the best defender from Africa and one of the best in the world. I can only achieve this through hard work,” he said.
“Hopefully next season I will start playing for Chelsea.”
Omeruo travelled to Malta to visit his younger brother Lucky who is currently turning out for Birkirkara.
Although Lucky Omeruo hasn’t made his breakthrough yet, his more famous brother has no doubts that the young striker has what it takes to fufil his footballing dreams.
“I think so, if he hasn’t got the talent I will advise him to do something else,” Omeruo said when asked if Lucky has the qualities needed to make the cut in Europe.
“He’s a nice guy, strong as a player and works very hard.”
Omeruo, who stayed at the Radisson Golden Sands Resort during his vacation in Malta, has warmed to the beauty of our islands and the friendliness of the people.
“It’s really nice,” he said of Malta.
“I’ve seen a lot of beautiful places and friendly people.”