Academy striker, Wisdom Igiebor has revealed his desire to don the shirts of European giants, Manchester United and Real Madrid in the next five years. The younger brother to AFCON 2013 winner, Nosa Igiebor in an interview with Trust Sports said he wants to follow the footsteps of his brother to play for the national team.
Can you give us a little background about you? Who is Wisdom Igiebor?
I’m an 18 year-old, 5, 11 right footed footballer from Benin City, Edo state. From a family with seven children, I’m the last born (laughs). I love football a lot and derive joy from it. I forget about any painful or sorrowful thing because you have to be fully focused and give your all. You cannot think about anything outside the game. I’m also done with school, I attended Covenant University and I was able to showcase my talents there.
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What specifically led you to football?
Sports Is very important to my family. It’s a gift from God. Growing up my mum told me that my dad was a footballer and she was a goalkeeper (laughs), being the last born of 7 children, all my siblings were involved in one sport whether it was football, volleyball or basketball. We are all sports lovers so I did not see myself doing anything outside sports.
Were your parents in support or against your ambition to be a footballer?
They are very supportive of my ambitions, they provide me with whatever I need and that keeps me motivated to make sure I do not disappoint them. Football makes them happy and I want to leave a mark.
Is there any footballer in the family?
Yes there is. Nosa Igiebor is my elder brother. He’s a midfielder who has represented Nigeria and was part of the team that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. He has played for clubs like Real Betis and Maccabi Tel-Aviv. He’s a huge inspiration for me and a reason why I believe my dreams will come true. I can smile knowing my brother was part of a team that brought joy to the hearts of Nigerians. He supports my ambitions.
What position do you play and what are your characteristics?
I’m a striker. I’m a lethal finisher with a good passing range that helps me assist my teammates. I’m fast, especially with the ball close to my feet. I would say my best attribute would be my dribbling, because of that I usually win the most fouls in games, it’s what people who have watched me always point to.
I’m never afraid to go past a defender, I specialize in that. My attributes also make me a good attacking midfielder as I like to link up play with the midfielders a lot. I also like the false 9 position. I’m also very fortunate when it comes to injuries, I’m hardly injured.
During your time in Covenant University, you were tagged as the “best player”, describe your experience?
Honestly speaking, I had a wonderful time there, playing football. It was amazing hearing your fellow students chant your name. My nickname is “IGB” so during games people would chant it a lot. I was a fan favourite. I don’t really remember my stats in detail but I did very well, I do not play for stats, I play to win and for the love of the game.
I’m grateful to God and my teammates and different coaches I had then which made it possible to achieve many things, a tree cannot make a forest. The Chancellor’s cup was the school’s biggest football tournament. I won it two times, was the best young player once, the MVP twice and the highest goal scorer three times.
You are currently in an academy, how’s that going?
I currently play for Moonluck academy in Lagos, we train five times a week, a lot of the training sessions are very intense, we play against other academies in different competitions, so far this season I have 5 goals and three assists. I have learnt a lot. Scouts from around and outside the country come to watch some of our games. I’m more than ready to go Pro.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I see myself signing a professional contract and playing in a big European team. I’m a big Manchester United fan and I also like Real Madrid so I hope to play for one of them soon. I hope to be the top goal scorer in any league I play in and win league titles, the Champions League, the Ballon d’ or, and also represent Nigeria and win the World Cup.
What is your ultimate ambition?
To become the best footballer of my generation and win the World Cup, I want to be the best. Right now I’m more than ready for professional football. It’s the next step for me, I have a winner’s mentality. I want to win every match I play in. I give 200 percent and demand the same from my teammates. I’m very vocal and passionate. Cristiano Ronaldo is my favourite footballer, he’s one of the greatest footballers ever and I would like to replicate that.
