Omeruo: We're Not Scared of Brazil, Spain

Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo says he and his colleagues are not scared of which teams they get tomorrow at the draw for next year's World Cup in Brazil, insisting they are good enough to play against the so-called big teams.

"We don't mind who we get in the draw. We've shown we can play well against the best teams," he said adding that the team that will be returning to Brazil next year will be better than the one competed at the FIFA Confederation Cup last June.

Nigeria failed to get past the group stage last June at the FIFA Confederations Cup but Omeruo is confident the team will go as far as the semi-final this year and possibly come back with a World Cup medal.

"Our aim with Nigeria is to get to the semi-finals in Brazil and try to win something," Omeruo told the BBC.
"We don't want to be among the teams that just want to qualify, we want to actually get to a stage that would actually shock people.

"There's a real confidence, the players are young and we're like family thanks to the coaches and the way things are done. We really have unity."

Omeruo made his comeback from injury in the crucial second leg of Nigeria's World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia and helped keep a clean sheet in the 2-0 win which gave Nigeria a 4-1 aggregate victory.

It says a lot about how highly he is rated by Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi that Omeruo started the match, despite not playing any first-team games for Chelsea.

"I never expected my career to go as quick as it is now," Omeruo admitted. "I thought that maybe by the time I got to the stage of playing at a World Cup, players like Essien and Cristiano Ronaldo would have retired.

"But I'm really happy with the way my football career has developed and I just have to concentrate and keep working hard. I'm really looking forward to the World Cup.

Omeruo has been linked with a loan move in January and clubs in the Premier League and the top half of the Championship are said to be interested, but he is determined to try to win a place in Chelsea's first team.

"I haven't really spoken to manager Jose Mourinho about it but I just have to give my best in training and hope that he recognises it," he said.

"For now I just want to focus and see if I get a chance to play for Chelsea and then when it comes to January I'll see what the options are.

"I'm hoping to get into the team and start playing because the World Cup is just around the corner.

"Mourinho has a great impact on the players, he makes you want to play your best and value an opportunity when it's given to you. He's a great coach."

If 2014 goes as planned it won't be long before Omeruo is being recognised all over the world.