Plateau United yet to dream of winning NPFL title
Plateau United and Benin Republic international, Salomon Junior has said the Coach Kennedy Boboye tutored side are yet to start thinking of winning this year’s Nigeria Professional Football League title. He also told SHOT! that he has no regret dumping Su
MFM have overtaken Plateau United in the race for the NPFL title. Is there any panic in your camp? I can tell you confidently that there is no single trace of panic in the camp of Plateau United. We have never told anybody that we are going to win the league title so there is nothing to worry about. All we are doing at the moment is to take one game at a time. Presently, we are in a good position and but we are yet to start thinking of the title. The league is a marathon so let’s wait till the end of the season.
When the league started, were you sure Plateau United will put up such remarkable performance?
I was very sure we would do well because the bulk of the team that competed in the 2016 season is intact. And more quality players were brought into the team at the beginning of this season and that made us stronger than ever before. I know that we had a difficult start to last season but in the second round we adjusted and had a better outing towards the closing stage of the season. So our performance this season is only a continuation of the good job we did towards the end of last season. We are more united and the management too is doing its best to support us.
Plateau United went seven matches unbeaten before losing their first match against Akwa United disappointing was it?
It was a very bad feeling because it was a match we could have won or at worst get a draw but that did not happen. We played well but in football you cannot win all the time. You sometimes win, lose or draw. Well, we have since moved on from that match because we cannot continue to cry over spilled milk.
Which of the matches would you say is your best so far in the season?
Every match we won has been our best. I cannot say this was the best. The most important result for us is the three points so every match that gave us the maximum points to me is the best. As a team we take every match seriously and that has been our driving force.
Which match has been your most difficult one and why?
Every match has been difficult for us because every team that played against us wanted to beat us. We been the team to beat so even teams that many people would consider to be weak gave us very tough time. However, our match against Niger Tornadoes in Jos was the most difficult. Although we won the match 2-0, they really gave us a run for our money. They did not sit back to defend and that made it difficult for us to beat them.
You are originally from Nigeria but playing for the Squirrels of Benin Republic. Why did you leave Nigeria to play for another country?
Yeah like you rightly said I am a Nigerian from Bayelsa State but I have lived all my life in Benin Republic. Therefore when the opportunity for me to represent the country came my way, I did not think twice. Such opportunities hardly come twice.
When did you have your debut for Benin Republic and how many caps have you for the Squirrels?
I made my debut for Benin Republic as far back as 2008 against the Pharaohs of Egypt in a friendly match played in Cairo. It was a fantastic feeling and since then I have gone on to record 36 caps for my country. I thank God because I have been very consistent in the team since I made my debut.
Don’t you miss playing for the Super Eagles?
My decision to play for Benin Republic was made consciously. I was not forced to take that decision so I have no reason to regret anything. I am happy playing for the Squirrels so there is no room for me to again miss playing for another national team. Nigeria is blessed with so many talents so it is not every Nigerian player that will play for the Super Eagles. I have never sat down to ask myself why I didn’t wait to play for the Super Eagles. Moreover, it is too late now to harbour
Did your father give his blessing when you decided to naturalise and play for Benin Republic?
My father did not object to it. He gave his blessings and even now, he has continued to support me. He is presently in Lagos but he keeps tab on my professional career. I am sure he is proud of my achievements.
How many clubs have you played for in the Nigeria Professional Football League?
I played for Bayelsa United for three seasons before coming over to Plateau United in the 2016 football season. During the crisis in Libya, I returned to Benin where I was playing for one of the best clubs in the league. Then an agent from Nigeria who came to scout for players saw me. He asked me if I would accept to play in the Nigerian league and I told him that if the money was good, why not. He then brought me to play for Bayelsa United.
What is the difference between the Nigerian league and the league in Benin Republic?
The league in Nigeria is better organised. The league in Nigeria is more physical, tactical and professional unlike the league in Benin. The Championnat National du Bénin is also growing but it cannot be compared to that of Nigeria which growing fast and can be the best in Africa, if the momentum is maintained.
Are there areas you still want the Nigerian league organisers to improve on?
They are trying but I want them to pay more attention to the welfare of the players. It is very important. Secondly, there should be improvement on how clubs travel to matches. Most times players get tired even before they get to match venues. It is indeed risky travelling long distances by road when there is air transportation.
Is there any other club in the NPFL that you would want to play for?
There are other good clubs in the league but at the moment, I am hundred percent committed to Plateau United. I have a contract with them and I have to keep to it. I don’t show divided loyalty in anything I do.
Do you mean other clubs have not attempted to take you away from Plateau United?
I can’t deny that I have not been approached by other clubs. Honestly, clubs have approached me. I was courted by FC IfeanyiUbah but I didn’t go. I am a player of Plateau United and I want to stay and make my contributions. I cannot tell what will happen tomorrow but for now Plateau United is my team. Let’s see what will happen tomorrow. What is your dream club in Europe? If I have any opportunity to play abroad, I would like to play for Arsenal. That is the club I been supporting from my youth. I like so many things about them.