Why I scored important goals at Villarreal, what AFCON title meant to me - Ex-Super Eagles striker 

Former Super Eagles striker, Ikechukwu Uche has spoken extensively about his time in the Spanish La Liga and as a Nigerian international for the first time and attributed his successes to discipline. 

Uche played for several Spanish clubs like Real Zaragoza, Getafe, Malaga and Villarreal and spoke to Supersport's La Liga Loca Africa magazine show that looks at the careers of African players in the La Liga, past and present. 

"I had so may great memories while I was in Spain. I'm fact I had two memories. My first game in La Liga was one of them. 

"The other one is my first league goal in the La Liga. I was very happy in my time in Spain because it's what most players dream about. 

"Seeing it happen was something extraordinary," Ikechukwu, one of the Uche brothers to have played for the Nigerian national team said. 

Ikechukwu's older brother Kalu, was in Nigeria's squad to the 2010 World Cup albeit Ike missed out through injury. 

“Playing for Nigeria is another great dream that I was able to achieve,” said the former Getafe, Granada star.

On his time at Villarreal, Uche attributed it to the great players at the club. 

"We had great players at Villarreal. I scored so many important goals but I wasn't the only one that did the good work there. We had world class players. 

On his call-up to the Nigeria national team and being part of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations triumph in South Africa, Uche said:

“It has always been my dream to play for Nigeria and I was very happy that I was able to achieve that and its not something that happened one time but I was able to play many games for Nigeria.

“I am very happy to have achieved that, coming out of Nigeria and moving to Spain to play in the league to gather experience is something I really cherished, then getting the invite to play for the Super Eagles is one of my greatest moments.

“I also represented Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations and I had the opportunity to be one of the people that will say we won the AFCON and honestly I cannot ask for more.”

Uche scored a total of  19 international goals in 46 appearances for Nigeria and he was famous for his acrobatic celebration of goals.

 Izuchukwu Michael
 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com