Football consoled me after Boko Haram killed my parents
El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri attacking winger, Nur Mohammed has said the game of football consoled him after his father and mother were killed by insurgents currently ravaging the north-eastern part of the country. The 17-year-old left-footed player who missed out of the Flying Eagles squad to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland spoke to Trust Sports on how football has kept him going and what he is doing to return to the U-20 national team.
During the qualifiers, you were an integral member of the Flying Eagles but you failed to make the cut for the U-20 AFCON and the World Cup. What happened? I did very well in camp and even played in some of the qualifiers. Unfortunately, for reasons I don’t know, I was not selected for the AFCON U-20 championship in Niger and the World Cup in Poland. I felt disappointed because I wanted to make a name for myself and also do my country proud. That was the dream of every player who was in camp at that time. However, I accept everything as the will of God.
Have you given up on your dream of playing for the Flying Eagles?
I am still eligible to play for the Flying Eagles. I am just 17 years plus so I can still play for the next Flying Eagles. I was like 16 years getting to 17 when I played in the last squad. As a matter of fact when I signed up for El-kanemi Warriors, I was the youngest player in the NPFL. So my dream of playing for the Flying Eagles is still intact.
When El-Kanemi Warriors were relegated, many people believed you would leave. What informed your decision to remain with the Warriors?
It is true I wanted to leave El-kanemi Warriors so as to continue to play in the Nigeria Professional Football League but after some considerations, I decided to stay and see out my contract with the club. El-Kanemi Warriors brought me to limelight so I don’t want to appear to be ungrateful. I signed a three-year contract with them and I am in my final year. Maybe from next season, I will be a free agent so I can move to another club.
Are you thinking of joining another NPFL club or moving to Europe?
Last season I had some offers in the NPFL but my dream is to play in Europe. However, I am ready to play in the NPFL, if I don’t get a foreign deal immediately. I am working hard to keep my form so that anytime something good comes, I won’t disappoint.
What role did football play in your life after Boko Haram killed your parents?
It was not easy and it is still not easy but I must always thank God for keeping me alive. I owe my survival to Allah and the game of football. Football is everything to me because the game gave me a new life. Playing football helped in reducing my pain. It is the same football that brought me to the limelight. Before I started playing football, nobody knew about me but when I started playing I became popular even beyond my immediate community in Maiduguri. For me, football is everything. I will remain grateful to coaches Imama Amapakabo and Salisu Yusuf for their encouragement.
How is football contributing to peace in Borno State?
Football has greatly contributed to peace and unity in the state. Even at the height of the insurgency, football continued to thrive. It may interest you to know that even the insurgents take pleasure in watching football. Football has remained the only unifying factor among the people. In football, there is no religion, ethnicity or social status. We are always one. Government should do more in the area of sports because it is one sector that is capable of uniting everyone.
How sad were you when El-kanemi Warriors were relegated to the National League?
I was sad because it is my childhood club and we were not doing too badly in the league. We started the season very well but suddenly things began to fall apart for us. We least expected what happened. It was in the last six matches that we lost it all. It was not about coaching or lack of good players. Things like this happen in life. You will see something going wrong but you won’t be able to stop it.
How soon do you think El-Kanemi will return to the NPFL?
El-kanemi will return soon to the premier league because that is where they belong. Even if I leave or stay El-kanemi must come back to the topflight. It is not about any player. In football when some players go, others come in. So even if some of us are going to leave the club, more players would come in to take El-kanemi back to the NPFL.
Considering the ongoing insurgency in Borno State, do players still want to play for El-kanemi Warriors?
Yes, even now we have more than forty players in our camp. During our pre-season screening, you can see more than two hundred players, mostly from other parts of the country coming to join El-kanemi Warriors. Unlike before, Maiduguri is more peaceful now. People are going about their businesses. This is not to say there is no problem but it is not as bad as someone would want you to believe.
Looking at your age and physique, how do you cope with the bigger players in the NPFL?
If you believe in yourself, it becomes easy for you to play against anybody. I am never afraid of any opponent because I believe I have the talent. And once your coach believes in you, he has given you everything. It is left for you to go out there and prove yourself. Who is your role model? I have so many but the player I have picked now as my role model is Mesut Ozil of Arsenal. I like the way he plays. He is always very calm with the ball. He is also a good passer of the ball. I learn so much from him.
You sound as if you are in love with Arsenal, is that your dream club?
I don’t have any club in mind. I will be happy to start at any club in Europe. I just need to go out there and play. Look at young players like Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi, they were given opportunities and are doing very well. Some of us are inspired by their performances.
Would you want more young players to be allowed to play for the Super Eagles?
Yes, because the likes of Osimhen and Chukwueze have proved that football is for the young ones. We are the ones who have the energy and strength to do the job. Like I said before, I am greatly inspired by these young Super Eagles players.