Ugochukwu Iwu: “I’m half Armenian and dream of playing for Liverpool”
- Author: Vahe Hakobyan
- Sportaran
Armenia national team and Rubin Kazan midfielder Ugochukwu Iwu, in an interview with the FFA press service, shared his impressions of the team’s preparation for the upcoming matches against Hungary and Ireland, praised head coach Yeghishe Melikyan, and spoke about his personal goals and dreams.
On October 11, Armenia will face Hungary in Budapest in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, followed by a match against Ireland in Dublin on October 14.
“Everything is great in the national team right now. The atmosphere in training sessions and in the locker room is at the highest level. The victory over Ireland gave us confidence. Before that, we had some defeats, but those three points helped everyone regain motivation and self-belief,” Iwu noted.
The midfielder highlighted the role of Armenia’s head coach:
“Yeghishe Melikyan is an excellent coach and a wonderful person. He has changed the team — primarily in terms of motivation and atmosphere. He’s a true leader, and that’s exactly what we needed. When I played for Urartu, his Pyunik always made it difficult for us. Even back then, it was clear that he was a coach of the highest level.”
Speaking about his teammates, Iwu emphasized his connection with Spertsyan:
“Eduard is a fantastic player. We play in similar positions, but we have great understanding on the field. Overall, the atmosphere in the team is amazing, and I have a good relationship with everyone.”
The midfielder also spoke about his bond with Armenia:
“Armenia has had a big influence on me, both as a player and as a person. I came here at a very young age, and I can confidently say that I’m half Armenian.”
Iwu added that things are going well for him at Rubin Kazan, but he doesn’t hide his ambition to play in one of Europe’s top leagues:
“Everything is great at Rubin — a wonderful team, city, and people. But like any footballer, I dream of achieving more. If I get a chance to move to a top league, I’ll definitely take it. My dream is to play for Liverpool.”