How I got Eagles invite via Instagram

In this interview with ABIODUN ADEWALE, Basel defender Victory Akpe opens up about his journey to Europe less than two years ago, his rapid rise through Lithuania, Hungary and Switzerland, and how he earned a call-up to the Super Eagles for the international friendly against Russia

Congratulations on your Super Eagles invitation. How does it feel to be a new national team invitee?

Honestly, it is a privilege because a lot of people want to be here, and a lot of people are performing well for their clubs in Europe. So, being contacted and given an opportunity to join the team is a big privilege. From this moment, I can only try to fight for the country, show my quality and put myself in a position to get regular call-ups.

One-and-a-half years ago, you were still in Nigeria. Before moving abroad, how did your time in Abuja shape you as a footballer, and what role did the city play in preparing you for the next stage of your career?

When you start to see people around you making progress, you have to sit yourself down and stay locked in. At first, I was in Abuja and I told my family that I needed to start playing serious football. So, I moved to Lagos and joined Hyraj Football Club. It was not easy at first, but I adapted and understood that good things can be achieved outside your comfort zone. Now, it is all paying off. I played for Chidex Academy in Abuja before joining Hyraj in Lagos. I had no family or friends in Lagos and the football felt different. It was also hard to survive in terms of feeding and fending for myself. What kept me going was the goal. After some time, I thought about going back to Abuja because things were hard in Lagos. My body adapted later and it worked out. That was how my agent saw me as well.

What was growing up like?

I was born in Begger Camp in Kubwa, Abuja, and I have four sisters, so I am the only boy among my siblings. Growing up was fun and normal for me as a kid. My parents wanted me to go to school first, but then they began to see the potential in football, so they had to let me play football too.

After you joined FK Banga in Lithuania, you also became the first player the club had ever made money from. Looking back, how important was that move to your development as a player?

It was indeed a new learning curve for me. When I got there, I wasn’t playing at first. Despite the cold, I kept pushing and later got my chance, and the coach believed in me. I moved to Hungary towards the end of the season and afterwards, Basel came for me. One of the things I learned is how you speak to people, how you address people and what you do outside football. As a footballer, people know you, so how you carry yourself matters, and what you put on social media matters as well. These are some of the most important things I have learned.

In just over a year, you have gone from Lithuania to Hungary and now to Switzerland with Basel. What do you think changed most about you during that period to make such a rapid rise possible?

At first, it wasn’t easy because the way they want you to play in Europe is different from how we play in Nigeria. They play with detail, tactics and caution. In the beginning, I was only aggressive. I didn’t read my duels, markings or the timing of my jumps. With time, I started to watch my clips and understood what I needed to do better. I also say God was involved as much as I worked hard. I still have good relationships with all the coaches I have worked with because I listen to them a lot. I make mistakes and learn from them, and they help me grow. When you learn a lot of things like this, you try to include them in games. I like to do extra on the field and, when I lose the ball, I try to learn how it happened or why I didn’t play a pass successfully. So, I think the most important thing is not being afraid to make mistakes.

Basel is a much bigger platform, and you have already established yourself in the team. What are you and your teammates chasing this season?

For sure, the aim is to win and be the best in the league. Right now, there are a lot of new players and our coach left some weeks ago. We are fighting to achieve our goals and hope that things will straighten out after the international break so we can achieve our goals of finishing first and going to Europe.

How did you receive your Super Eagles invitation?

The coach messaged me on Instagram. I was getting messages from people at first, with a lot of them telling me about the potential I had to play for the Super Eagles. I didn’t pay attention; I was just speaking with my agent, who told me to keep working. One night, I woke up to use the restroom and saw a message from the coach through his verified account. He asked for my number, called me and we spoke. It was when we spoke that I was sure it was him.

What went through your mind when you got the news, especially after everything that has happened in your career since leaving Nigeria?

I was a little bit shocked but not too surprised. I didn’t know how to react, but I knew that when you work hard, things like this can happen. I told my agent, my parents and my friends, and they were all very proud.

The Russia game gives players like you an opportunity to introduce themselves to the national team setup. What do you believe you can bring to the Super Eagles defence?

For me, I am someone who likes to drive the ball to create space for the midfielders for an easy final pass. Also, I like to run, so Nigerians will see me a lot of times winning duels, going aggressive and blocking the goal for the goalkeeper. More importantly, I will push us to win because we deserve better. For sure, we need to start establishing ourselves and prepare for the upcoming AFCON. I haven’t met any of the players in the current squad, so this would be my best time to do that, and football connects us. Whether I am on the field or on the bench, I will fight for my opportunity.

Have you spoken with ex-internationals within or outside Nigeria on what it’s like to play for the national team?

Yes, at my club I have Xherdan Shaqiri and we spoke about what it takes to play for the national team. From our conversation, I see what it means and I am anticipating the task because in Nigeria we have a lot of big competitions; every game is important, and one day I want to see myself in the Nigerian jersey playing at the World Cup, being a leader and an important player on the team, winning every game and fighting for the badge.

This is a friendly. If you make your debut against Russia, what would you like Nigerians to see from Akpe Victory — and what would you hope to achieve with the Super Eagles over the next few years?

I want to see myself at the World Cup. I want to see us win the AFCON again because we have quality and, as we say, we have to keep up with the name of being African Giants. I want to see us go back to the days of daring top European countries.

Who is your defender role model?

I like Virgil van Dijk, and before him I liked Rüdiger when he was at Chelsea because he was very aggressive. When he moved to Madrid, I didn’t watch him as much as before. There is also this defender at Tottenham, Van Hecke, who was playing at Brighton. He is a ball-playing centre-back and I enjoy watching him at Brighton because he played between the lines. With the ball, I enjoy watching him and without the ball, Van Dijk.

Did you start as a striker?

I used to play as a striker because I didn’t like to run or mark. After some time in my local community, the coach told me I was tall and that I could be a leader from the back. That was how I started defending.

As a central defender, you have already scored one goal and provided an assist this season. How much emphasis do you place on contributing at the other end of the pitch?

It’s a good feeling to score or assist and help your team win. I think it is not enough because I need to improve my goalscoring with my head. Now, I am trying to perfect how to send passes to the strikers in space and get them closer to the box. That way, I want to be that player who creates special chances for the team to succeed.