Onome Sodje to be his own man

Emerging star from the famous Sodje football family, Onome Sodje, says he wants to carve a niche for himself. The widely-travelled 23-year-old former Charlton Athletic and Barnsley forward talks about his recent dream debut in Malta and his desire to play for Nigeria like his uncles.
    
MTNFootball.com: You are in Malta now. Can you tell us how the deal was brokered from your Vietnamese club Dong Nai?
    
Onome Sodje: The football season in Vietnam had ended and I fancied coming back to Europe. So, it was an easy decision to make the switch since I carry a British passport as well. The contract I signed will be just until the end of season and then we will see what happens after that.
    
And you scored on your debut. What was the feeling like?
    
It was a good feeling and I was on top of the world. I have been doing well in training all week and I had a feeling I might score. So, I am grateful to God for the chance to do so. It’s amazing the way everybody took to me from the first minute I walked into the club. I never met such a friendly bunch of people in all the places I have been; the players were fantastic and the club are a hard working group.
    
At Slovakia’s FK Senika, you also scored on your debut. You did same thing in Vietnam. Is it now a tradition to score on your debut?
    
I have actually scored a lot of debut goals in my career. I don’t really know why it is like that but I am someone who will convert goals anytime, even in my dreams.

Germany 2006 World Cup Hawks of Togo centre-back, Eric Akoto, also made his debut on the day. How close are you players?
   
Yes, he came in two days to the game and he did well on his debut. He’s African and speaks Pidgin English, so he is nice to have around. He is a big player that has a lot of experience and that showed in the game.
    
Do you fancy playing in Europe next year as your club are third on the league table?
    
Yes, that’s the major reason why I am here. It will be amazing to play in Europe should we qualify. They played against AEK Larnaca of Cyprus this season in the Europa League and Larnaca went through to the group stage. So, I will be glad if we again qualify next season. I will give my best to ensure that we do.
    
Are you setting a personal target for yourself at Floriana?
    
To be honest I don’t have any personal target, but I just have to be professional in the discharge of my duties and give my best in every game.  I think that’s the way it works these days because (Lionel) Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo have made strikers around the world feel that 20 to 25 goals per season is no longer good enough.
    
What is your assessment of the standard of football in the small European country?
    
It is very competitive and the fans are very passionate. There are also rivalries amongst them (fans) during the big derby games.
    
How would you describe your short time in Vietnam?
    
I scored six goals in 10 starts there but the standard of the game is incomparable to what you have in Europe. Some might say the standard in Vietnam is lower but it is an experience I will cherish and appreciate as well. It was very hot there, so it was difficult at times. But the experience has come in handy.
    
You are still young and still in the shadows of big uncles Efe, Sam and Akpo, who are accomplished footballers. What difference are you bringing as the new Sodje in your big football family?
    
I am taking a different route in my career as I have moved away from England and hope to someday play in the UEFA Champions League. That will be different from what they have done. But it’s nice having them on top because it gives me an idea of where I would like to get to as a player.
    
In what ways have your uncles inspired your football journey?
    
My journey right now I would say has been inspired by myself as I have had a little bad spell and I didn’t play for a while. So now I am just enjoying playing again and returning back to Europe has been a big bonus.
    
You have played in Slovakia, Vietnam and now Malta as a very young player. Do you have a love for travelling far and wide?
    
Yes, I would definitely say so. I love flying and I also love to experience different cultures and people. It’s really amazing because you learn a lot about different places and different people.
    
Do you wish to represent Nigeria at senior level after being unable to represent your country of birth at age-grade levels?
    
Well everyone would love to play for their country; we will have to see God’s plans and what the future holds, but I can only dream of the Super Eagles.