Eagles can win AFCON again

Managing Director BetCorrect, Adriano Amadei, opens up on his love for Inter Milan, Victor Osimhen in this interview with JOHNNY EDWARD

Growing up, what sport did you enjoy?

I did so many sports while growing up in Italy back in the days. I played football, rugby, basketball, volleyball and athletics. The 1,500m athletics running was my specialty, I held the school record in under four minutes. I pursued running until my University years but had to stop then as I was busy with academic commitments.

It was very exciting as a kid because I just wanted to get involved in any sport.

So why did you not pursue a career in athletics?

Education was the major reason I didn’t follow my dreams of becoming a sportsman but in all I’m happy to have engaged in those sports growing up.

Did your parents discourage you?

They never did. My parents were always very supportive with all sports opportunities I had back them provided all I needed to succeed as a sportsman. Team sports offer a multitude of valuable lessons, but one of the most important things you can learn is the significance of teamwork which has helped me all along.

Were you passionate about football growing up?

Yes definitely, I would watch the English Premier League and Italian Serie A every weekend back then with my parents. I used to support Inter Milan those days when they had the likes Diego Simeone, Youri Djorkaeff, Javier Zanetti, Ronaldo even Taribo West, also played for Inter before he moved to AC Milan. He was a fantastic defender back then for Inter not forgetting Kanu Nwankwo as well. They were great players for Inter even if Kanu didn’t stay long at the club.

Are you a fan of the Super Eagles?

I am indeed a fan and I love their recent mantra ‘Let’s Do It Again’ ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. The 1994 class and that of the team that won gold at the Olympics in 1996 are my favourite Nigerian team. The current players are also talented and I believe they will emulate their past heroes at the next tournament in January

Do you think that Nigeria can qualify for the World Cup despite their poor start?

Most definitely, the individual player skills are exceptional. If they can find the right formula as a team it will be fantastic. It happens in football when you get stunned by results you least expect. I believe they will bounce back and show their worth. They didn’t lose but just recorded two draws and the gap isn’t that wide that should scare Nigerians. The team just needs to play at their best to make the country proud.

Who do you think is the best African player of all time and why?

Africa has produced so many players in the past but personally, I feel that Sadio Mane is the best and this is based on the African players I have watched overtime. He’s had such a successful career, always giving 100 per cent and is a consistent professional performer. He was instrumental to Senegal winning the last AFCON title and also qualifying for the World Cup but it was just unfortunate he missed the World Cup due to injury. He has had a remarkable career in Europe before moving for Al Nassr and you can see he’s doing well there as well.

In the current Eagles squad, who is your favourite player?

Victor Osimhen. He is a world class player. He is the highest goal scoring African in the Serie A and currently holds the record for the most goals scored by an African in a single season. He was instrumental to Napoli winning the Scudetto last season and I believe he is capable of doing that for Nigeria if he is fully fit for the AFCON. Samuel Chukwueze who recently scored for AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League is also a brilliant winger who I believe will adapt well to the Serie A. He has a sweet left foot.

Do you think Osimhen deserves to win the Africa Player of the Year award considering his form for club and country?

Most definitely, he deserves to win the Africa Player of the Year award. Among the contenders I believe he has had a remarkable year but you know that anything could happen since its going to be down to voting from coaches, captains and media from the 52 African nations. If I had that chance, I’ll vote for him.

How far do you think the Eagles can go at the AFCON?

Without a doubt, if they play to their strength they are capable of winning the title again. They are in a tricky group which also has the hosts, Ivory Coast but I strongly believe Nigeria stand a good chance just like other contenders.

Which club do you support?

Inter Milan and Liverpool and I love Lautaro Martinez and Mohamed Salah. I’m an Italian and I love Inter Milan so much. I would love to see Osimhen play for the Nerazurri one day. He’s so strong, technically sound and good in the air. He will be a great partner for Martínez.

If you could spend a day with any sportsperson, who would it be?

A day out with Osimhen in Lagos would be awesome for me because I see him as the pride of Nigerian football.

You recently introduced a new betting company BetCorrect into Nigeria. How well do you think it would thrive considering the high level of competition?

Our aim for coming into the Nigerian and African market was to revolutionise the sport betting with Artificial Intelligence.

We are committed to making punters enjoy placing their bets on their platform with several innovative compared to other existing platforms.

Nigeria’s increasing appetite for fintech solutions and its burgeoning population catalysed its intent to play a significant role in its technological evolution, through BetCorrect.

BetCorrect’s strategy underpins its dedication to visionary-thinking and far-sightedness through two core elements: Artificial Intelligence and User Experience.