UCHE NWANERI VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: 49ers will be tough but I always look forward to a challenge... and I'm a Fulham fan now too

By Sunni Upal

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With just six days until the second Wembley game of the season, Sportsmail caught up with Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Uche Nwaneri.

Find out who Uche would invite to his perfect dinner party by clicking on the video below.

 

The Jacksonville Jaguars head to London for this weekend's International Series game with the San Francisco 49ers without a win this season, but Uche Nwaneri is looking forward to a stiff challenge at Wembley.

The Jags are 0-7 and facing one of the best teams in the NFL, the 5-2 San Francisco 49ers.

But offensive lineman Nwaneri is excited about this weekend's game in front of over 80,000 fans at Wembley.

Challenge: Uche Nwaneri (77) is looking forward to playing the San Francisco 49ers at Wembley this weekend

Challenge: Uche Nwaneri (77) is looking forward to playing the San Francisco 49ers at Wembley this weekend

London bound: Nwaneri at Wembley earlier this year

London bound: Nwaneri at Wembley earlier this year

He told Sportsmail: 'We’re looking forward to it - I always look forward to a challenge.

'We are a team that back down from nobody and we’ve got a lot of respect for the 49ers. They were in the Super Bowl last year but Jacksonville have turned a new leaf. We are coming through the Khan era know and looking forward to the challenge of playing against them.'

Despite Jacksonville's form so far this season, Nwaneri is confident that the Jaguars will be back to winning ways soon and looks to the turnarounds in both Indianapolis and Kansas City in recent years for inspiration.

'Every year is different in the NFL,' he said. 'There are teams that get to the Super Bowl and then may not make the play-offs for three or four years after that.

'In my rookie year we got into the play-offs, got into the second round and lost to the New England Patriots and everything we were looking at as a franchise at that point felt we would be a continued contender each year but that didn’t happen.

'Each year presents a new challenge and opportunity for a team to put their stamp on that season.

'As a team our goal is to get better every day. That’s our mentality when we go to work and that will be our mentality on Sunday’s as well.'

Struggle: The Jacksonville Jaguars are yet to win this season after Sunday's home defeat by San Diego

Struggle: The Jacksonville Jaguars are yet to win this season after Sunday's home defeat by San Diego

The Jaguars have committed to play one game at Wembley for each of the next four seasons and their UK ties strengthened earlier this year when their owner Shahid Khan brought Fulham.

'I’m a Fulham fan now,' Nwaneri said. 'Mr Khan has been making some ingenious moves. Buying Fulham is going to help Jacksonville. As much as we see coming to London as beneficial, having an international soccer club come to play in our stadium will only bring more popularity to the city and more exposure to our team.

'The NFL is doing a lot to extend the reach of the league and to extend the popularity of the league and this is a perfect opportunity for the Jaguars on an international stage.

Force: The San Francisco 49ers have won four games in a row ahead of their Wembley trip

Force: The San Francisco 49ers have won four games in a row ahead of their Wembley trip

'Mr Khan is an international businessman and he has done a lot in Jacksonville to bring that influence to the city and the team. This is something that will help us in the long run.

'The stadium is pretty impressive. London is one of the greatest cities in the world and it’s going to be a great experience.'

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

I cant believe I paid £100 a pop for tickets only to have the Jags stinking up the place. Shame for wembley we couldnt have two teams who still have something to play for.

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