Victor says Everton before Afcon

Michael Kenrick , 17 October, 7comments | Jump to most recent

The next Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) takes place in South Africa at the start of 2013. Everton's Steven Pienaar won't be involved after retiring from international football, and Victor Anichebe admits that club football is the priority for him too.

“I am more concentrating on here. This is the first time I have stayed fit for a while and I feel good in myself, so thinking of the national team hasn't come into my head.”

“I want the fans in Nigeria to be happy and they are now we have qualified for the African Nations,” he said.

“The coach there is building a good team. I'm not even thinking of being in the squad, I am thinking of being here (at Everton). Everton have stuck by me and helped me get back fit so I am thinking about this more.”

Anichebe has only started three games so far for David Moyes's men but is taking heart from his form, and the way the side has played. He said: “I think we've done OK, it's been a good start to the season as opposed to the past seasons and confidence is fairly high. We can see the fans are happy and we are as a group. Nobody should get ahead of ourselves though.

"I feel good. I felt like I've come in and done well. Even against Wigan I didn't play so much but I was involved in the goal and felt good when I came on. It was a really hard game and to get a point there was a credit to us as a group.

“Hopefully we can keep clear of injuries and I'm sure we'll be fine.” Asked whether he can become a long-term striking partner to first choice front man Jelavic, the academy graduate said: “I think so. Me and Niki have spoken about it and we could definitely do that, but Felli has been playing there and he's been unbelievable. “Naisy can play there as well and so can Tolis (Vellios). “We've got a lot of people who can play with Jela, there's a lot of competition so whatever happens.” Anichebe hopes he can be involved when Everton return to Premier League action at Loftus Road on Sunday. “QPR have a small pitch and it's so close,” he said. “They're struggling and they need results. They've bought a lot of players and so they have a lot of expectations on them.”

Quotes or other material sourced from Chester Chronicle

Reader Comments (7)

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Clarence Yurcan
1 Posted 17/10/2012 at 15:36:06

I like Big Vic more and more each day.

Danny Kewley
2 Posted 17/10/2012 at 15:21:20

Is Victor Mature? I reckon he's getting there as of late! With the greatest respect to Africa and all its nations, FIFA must sort out this mess.

To readily expect European based players to pack their bags half way through their respective domestic season is ridiculous, especially when you consider the smallness of some of the squads like ours. So fair play to the lad for putting his case forward now, in a respectful way at that.

Paul David
3 Posted 17/10/2012 at 15:54:07

Hasn't he been left out of their latest squad? That might have more to do with him saying Everton come first.

Col Noon
4 Posted 17/10/2012 at 18:37:38

Yes he is maturing from what I can see. He is a much improved player this season and is starting to think like a forward. His finishing is still very erratic but getting better. I'm warming to him more and more, and this is after I went on record saying he was league 1 standard at best. If he continues to work hard and offer something to the team then we could well see a more than useful striker here. Here's hoping.

Keith Glazzard
5 Posted 17/10/2012 at 18:52:37

Vic does look much more convincing lately. Maybe there is a good player in there trying to get out. He did great work in the Europa Cup, then came that Kevin Nolan 'tackle'. So it might be that he is just about back to where he was before he was so rudely interrupted.

Just checking a fact I found out something I'd either missed or forgotten. Vic sued Nolan for loss of earnings, and got an out of court settlement. I hope it was bloody huge.

Kieran Fitzgerald
6 Posted 17/10/2012 at 21:13:03

Do players have access to the same type of insurance that clubs take out. As far as I know, clubs always insure their players so that, if there is a career-ending or long-term injury, the club gets compensated.

It would make sense for both club and player to use this type of insurance but I could just be imagining things.

Thomas Windsor
7 Posted 19/10/2012 at 15:42:18

Not good enough for the Premier League — simple as that!

Time to start putting Vellios back in the first team squad. I rate him and think he could be another Sharpy if given more games.

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