Foreign player Peter Onyekachi: 'Ho Tuan Tai is the best player at SLNA'

PV:Hello Peter, why did you choose a team like SLNA to try out and join?

Forward Peter:Players who have played here such as Olaha and Odah told me that SLNA is a team that is united like a family. Everything here is quite good and will be suitable for me to play. Everyone here is very good, very cheerful and friendly. The coach and team leaders are the same. So I decided to come here to play. Here, I am very welcome. Maybe because I am lucky to be friends with Michael Olaha.

PV:What did you know about Vietnamese football before coming here?

Forward Peter:Before coming here, I watched images of Vietnamese football on YouTube and I was really impressed by the love of football of the people here. When the Vietnamese team reached the final of Asia, people poured into the streets to celebrate, the red and yellow colors made me feel goosebumps. With SLNA, the team's fans are equally passionate. I can't wait to feel that atmosphere soon.

Foreign player Peter Onyekachi in his debut match for SLNA. Photo: VPF

PV:How do you rate the quality of SLNA's domestic players? What makes them special?

Forward:What surprised me the most was that many V.League players, including foreign players, when I looked at their profiles, had played for SLNA. I haven’t had much time to learn about the players here, but I see that they are very young, have good skills, are very cheerful and always live, do everything and hang out together. I don’t know how it is in other teams, but I think this is a good team, full of fighting spirit. They are eager to show themselves at the highest level.

PV:Among the 26 domestic players of SLNA, which player impressed you the most? Who is the best player in the team at the moment?

Forward Peter:There are many good players in SLNA, but for me, Ho Tuan Tai is the best player in the team. He is my best friend here. Tuan Tai is very diligent in learning English. He has helped me a lot since I first arrived as well as during training and competition.

Ho Tuan Tai is Peter's best friend at SLNA. Photo: Xuan Thuy

PV:Having trained and lived at SLNA for a while, which player is the most mischievous and individualistic on the team?

Forward Peter:Haha, of course it was Phan Van Duc! He was very naughty. He was always the first one to play pranks on me. And I felt very happy and excited when they considered me as a family member.

PV:You haven't scored a goal in two matches. Did you feel any pressure or difficulty in those two matches?

Forward Peter:I am a striker and in the last two games I have not scored, but I think the team has played well. I feel that I have gradually integrated and contributed to the team's overall play. When I first arrived here, Alagie Sosseh and I had a lot of difficulties, new teammates, a new coach, everything is completely different from Nigeria, but I believe that I will do better in the next games.

PV:The quality of Vinh's pitch is considered the worst in the V.League. How has this affected you and the players?

Forward Peter:For me, the SLNA home turf is affecting every player, but because we have no other choice, we have played and tried our best here. When there is a better pitch, everything will definitely become easier.

Peter Onyekachi played quite effectively in the victory against B. Binh Duong. Photo: Xuan Thuy

PV:So what about the weather, training conditions and life in Vietnam, Peter?

Forward Peter:I find that the weather in Nghe An is quite similar to Nigeria, but it seems a bit unusual, a bit colder and the weather is good today for example, but it can be very hot tomorrow. So I have to be careful or it will easily affect my health. The food here is the same, the main foods in Nigeria are available in Vietnam. I can go to restaurants if necessary.

PV:Does playing in a tournament like the Vietnam National Championship affect Peter's chances of returning to the Nigerian national team?

Forward Peter:I don't think it's a problem. If I play well and score a lot of goals, the opportunity to play for the national team is still open to any player. As you know, Nigerian players play in Japan (J.League), Thailand, Israel but still get called up to the national team. And I think the league is not as important as the actual performance.

SLNA foreign players have yet to feel the enthusiasm of Nghe An fans. Photo: Trung Kien

PV:During the time V.League 2020 is on hold, what do you usually do in your free time?

Forward Peter:We haven’t been out during this time because of the Corona pandemic, we have to be very careful. This is a very dangerous epidemic and I feel lucky to have come to Vietnam quite early. All epidemic prevention measures here are strictly implemented. From the leaders to the coaches, they all warned us. That’s why I still don’t know much about your city.

During this time, I often go online to Livestream to chat with friends, listen to music and practice by myself. In addition, we can play netball together. I can also talk to my family via the Internet. When everything returns to normal, I will definitely invite my teammates to sing. I especially like music and sing very well.

PV:The first two matches of V.League 2020 took place without spectators. How does Peter feel if he has to continue playing without fans cheering him on in person?

Forward Peter:For me as a football player, having to play without spectators is really boring. The presence of fans in the stadium is the beauty of football. Only when there are spectators, we are truly inspired to play football. I am very eager to play again and hope the epidemic will be controlled soon.

PV:Thank you and good luck with your new team!

Cong Phuong, Trong Hoang and Au Van Hoan are in the Top 5 most expensive players in V.League 2020

(Baonghean.vn) - According to newly updated information on the international transfer website Transfermarkt, three Nghe An players, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Trong Hoang and Au Van Hoan, are valued quite highly.