Andrew Uwe was a household name in Nigeria's soccer scene in the 80s and 90s. He was the Captain of the Nigeria U20 National Team that won a bronze medal at the FIFA  U20 World Championship in 1985. He was a member of the then dreaded Leventis United FC of Ibadan that never lost a match in Nigeria from the Oyo State League to National Division One League. He later played for the Iwuanyanwu Nationale team that played up to the final of the 1988 edition of the now rested African Champions Cup now African Champions League. He had several caps in the Super Eagles, and was at two AFCON tournaments in Morocco 1988 and Algeria 1990. The Akwa Ibom born then lanky defender spoke to Exclusivenews.com.ng Editor-in-chief, Patrick Ngwaogu from his base in Germany. Excerpts :

Question : Tell us how has life been since you left active football?

 Answer : Life is good i am still hanging with football. As footballer, Football is part of my Life and I am grateful for been a footballer.

Question : You were a member of the then dreaded Leventis United of Ibadan, what were those things that made the team strong?

Answer : Leventis United is a great club and the evolver of club had a good knowledge about football and he was always in training watching what, we were doing but don't Interfer with the training of the Coaches programme. What made us strong was that we the younger ones, listen and respect our older ones in the in terms of advice and moving on plus we are treated as professionals, with respect and we learned a lot from the experienced ones  like Boateng , Alausa, Matthew Onyemah, and so on.

Question : Leventis went unbeaten from Division 3 to Division 1, what were those things that you guys were doing then, that is lacking now? 

Answer : We take our job serious and were dedicated. We just play and enjoy our game, and don't care about the money. Just passion for and love for the game. 

Question : You captained the Flying Eagles 1985 team that won bronze medal at the U20 World Cup then, Can you please, tell us some of the things made that team strong? 

Answer : Same with Leventis United of Ibadan just passion and love for the game only. For now money is first then we just want to put on the Green, white Green and don't care about the money.

Question : Uwe has been in Europe improving himself and also coaching, do you have any intention to Coach in Nigeria? 

Answer : Sure, I want to give back to my country and the youths in order to give themselves confidence on how to move on. Yes, I want to coach in Nigeria, if given chance. 

Question : As a grassroots person, how do you see the grassroot players in the country, and what are those things you expect from them?

Answer:  We have a lot of potential at the grassroot  but they have to work hard and Imbibe the spirit of self discipline.

Question : At what capacity do you think you can work effectively in Nigeria if you are given the opportunity? 

Answer: I will like to work with any in any capacity with any team if given a chance. I have been longing for the opportunity, for long time. I am ready for it, and mentally ready to give the best to my country. I ready to serve in any capacity to give back to the society. 

Question: Many youths may not know much of Andrew Uwe, please can you tell a little about yourself? Let us know your state of origin, how you started football and the clubs you played for. 

Answer :My name is Andrew Uwe was born in Lagos Oct 12. 1967 I am from Uyo, Akwa Ibom but grew up in Lagos 

I played for Nigerglass, FC, P&T, Flour Mills and Played for IDDO Tigers, United Leventis Iwauanwu National, Calabar Rovers. I started my football at Saint Paul catholic school Ebute Metta, Lagos and for my Secondary school, Igbobi college Yaba.

Question : As a Super Eagles player, what was the match you played that  would you not forget in a hurry, and what made it so? 

Answer: Against Algeria 1990 losing 5-1 and wonder what can we change to move on because losing 5-1 in a tournament in first Game then chances are very slim to qualify or move on. But we still went on to play in the finals. 

Question : What advice do you have young players who are aspiring to play the game to the tops

 Answer : Be focus self discipline and believe in self with a lot of hardworking individualy or as a team. The pain is going to be there but the gain will surely come. Hard work and you will be there period.

Question : How would you rate the country's league, now and then

Answer :  The league those days is very different from now, because those days most of our National team players come from our league and body language is different. We just want to play and win regardless of money and putting on green white, Green is a privilege those days but now is money and players don't want to be injured playing for National Team case at the same time want to play for their club not to miss Match bonus at club level. The new president is trying and have seen changes let then keep it up to bring our football league back. I wish him and the entire new league organizers the best, good job so far.