Big Interview with Ibe Zito Ogbonna
Big Interview with Ibe Zito Ogbonna

Posted in News on Nov 14, 2008.

After weeks of speculation Kaizer Chiefs finally unveiled new striker, Ibe Zito Ogbonna on Thursday afternoon in Joburg. The burly striker has been with the Club for three weeks and took time to speak to kaizerchiefs.com about signing a three year contract with Amakhosi.



What did you know about Kaizer Chiefs before coming to these shores?



I knew that Kaizer Chiefs is like a Family! I knew about the young players in the team, the magnitude of the team and that it is one of the biggest brands in football. I had seen the team on television a couple of times but did not remember the name of the players. I am happy to be part of the team and I am hoping to help the team win more trophies.



Having been here for three weeks, what are your impressions about the team?



I never imagined the kind of set up Kaizer Chiefs has here. It is rare to see this professionalism in Africa. The kind of environment that has been created for me here has made it easy for me to settle and get started with what I am here for - to play football. The decision to come here was not an easy one having played most of my football overseas. It took lot of negotiations between my representatives, the coach, Muhsin Ertugral and Bobby Motaung.



How does Kaizer Chiefs fare against the teams you have played for in terms of professionalism?



There is not much difference between Kaizer Chiefs and European teams. The Kaizer Chiefs Village has wonderful facilities and is definitely up there with some of the teams in Europe.



There is already a pressure for you to score goals...



Goal scoring is a striker’s job and that has been in my mind every since. You have to be ready to take the kind of pressure that comes with arriving in a Club of Chiefs calibre. Football has evolved and everyone today is expected to score goals. I have scored goals before, so I am not worried about pressure. I am going to do my best on the field and the rest will depend on God.



You seem to be getting along already with your teammates...



Oh, yes! The guys have been great. Kaizer Junior who is in the same dressing room as me is very funny. He is always cracking jokes and keeping the guys happy. I do get along with all the guys - it has been good.



You watched from the stands as Chiefs beat Supersport United on Wednesday night...



I wish I was there with the guys. I was very excited with the win and I was happy for everyone after the game. The guys played according to instructions of the Coach. You can see the way he was encouraging players from outside that he was proud. There is still a long way though and it is very important we carry on collecting maximum points. We have a tough one against Orlando Pirates this weekend.



In Romania, you were called Tyson, why?



(Laughs)...I think it had everything to do with my hairstyle while playing there. I had the same cut as Mike Tyson. In Israel, they called me “Horse”.



Lastly, what kind of a person is Zito?



I am always smiling all the time. I love fun...I hate losing!

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