Nafiu Kabuga: My first career hat-trick is great motivation
IV Former junior international and Wikki Tourists attacking winger, Nafiu Kabuga has said his first career hat-trick which came against Rivers United last Sunday is great motivation for him. The former El-Kanemi Warriors and Kano Pillars player told SHOT!
HI thank God almighty for the grace to score three goals against a big side like Rivers United. By available records, I am the first player to score a hat-trick this season. I dedicate the three goals to my family especially my mother and father who are always there for me.
I didn’t know I would score three goals but I knew I was going to score because my mother had predicted that I would score goals in the match. So even when I missed three scoring chances in the first half, I continued to work hard and the goals came in the second half.
I am seriously motivated. Now I have six goals and I am looking forward to more. I scored a goal each against Go Round, MFM in Lagos and against Lobi Stars in Jos. I want to score as many goals as possible before the end of the season. The hat-trick is great motivation for me. By the grace of God, this is not going to be my last hat-trick.
My best goal I will say is the second and third goal against Rivers United. I am happy with the way I scored the goals against a big team like Rivers United. However, I hope to score more goals.
It is not easy but we thank God for the fact that we are winning our home matches. The fans in Jos are also supporting us. However, there is no place like home. I feel concerned for our travelling fans. Most of them spend their hard earned money every weekend to come to Jos to support us. These are people without money. Yet they make the sacrifice. Some come along with other supporters who can’t afford the transport fare. So we try to make them happy by playing good football. We know that it is only when we make them happy that they would continue to make the sacrifice to come and support us.
It is very possible. We are winning at home so all we need is to win one or two away matches. We have the calibre of players who can do the job. We are not far from the top. We are praying to go and beat Abia Warriors this weekend in Nnewi.
Maybe many people are just getting to know me but this is not my first season in the NPFL. However, it looks like the hat-trick is what has brought me to the attention of some football fans. I was in the 2013 Golden Eaglets camp under Manu Garba with the likes of Kelechi Iheanaco, Wilfred Ndidi, Musa Mohammed, and Taiwo Awoniyi. From the Eaglets, I moved to the U-20 under John Obuh but it was too late for me to make the World Cup squad. Then Coach Salisu Yusuf who was coaching El-Kanemi Warriors at that time took me to Maiduguri to play for the team. From El-Kanemi, I moved down to Wikki Tourists. From Wikki I returned home to play for Kano Pillars for two seasons. It is from Kano Pillars that I returned to Wikki Tourists.
I have great passion for the game because I want to play for Nigeria. That is my main ambition. Nothing will give me joy as much as representing my country. Right from when I was small, I would abandon everything to watch football. I will be fulfilled only when I play for Nigeria.
I believe that the coaches are watching those of us who are paying in the league. If I keep doing my best, I know I will be given a chance. This year is my year to play for Nigeria. God will make a way for me. I have been to Golden Eaglets and the Flying Eagles. So my next target is the national U-23 and the CHAN Eagles. I have to start from there and then move to the senior Super Eagles. I am confident I will complete what I started in the junior national teams. This year is my year to shine.
My best match will still be the 3-0 victory over Rivers United. Any player would be happy with such spectacular performance.
I don’t think I have any bad game for Wikki this season. Right from preseason, I have been playing consistently. I have missed only one match which was the match against Nasarawa United but it was due to sickness. If I were not playing well the coach wouldn’t allow me to keep playing because there are so many good players in Wikki. I am enjoying my best season ever.
We would have won against Heartland in Owerri but in the last minute we conceded to lose 1-2. And our 1-1 draw against Katsina United in Jos was another painful moment for us.
My most difficult opponent was the late Chinedu udoji. Only few players will pretend that they did not fear the guy when they came up against him. When I first played against Udoji, I didn’t want him to come near me.
I heard about his death when we were on our way back from Heartland. I was shocked. For three days, I didn’t feel alright. He was a good man, a good leader who would fight for everyone. We shall miss him in the league, in fact in the country.
I also want to play abroad but I first want to play for Nigeria. Once I play for Nigeria, clubs will come and look for me. I have to ‘market’ myself first so that I don’t go begging foreign clubs to sign me.
My role models are international attacking wingers like Cristiano Ronaldo, Eden Hazard, Marcus Rashford and Alexis Sanchez who now plays for Manchester United. I study their style of play so as to improve my game.
I didn’t know I would score three goals but I knew I was going to score because my mother had predicted that I would score goals in the match
My favourite players in the Super Eagles are Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa. They are also attacking wingers. I learn from them. I also wish to be as famous as they are.
You know I am from Kano State and everybody knows that Kano Pillars are one of the biggest clubs in Nigeria. They are called the Real Madrid of Nigeria. It was great honour playing for the ‘masu gida’ boys. If in future, another opportunity comes for me to play for Pillars, I will take it. For now I have enough playing time in Wukki Tourists so I am happy. As far as I am concerned, Wikki are also a big side. Coach Bala Nyiku is silently transforming the team so I think this season we shall go back to the continent.
I can’t wait to play against Kano Pillars, especially at the Sani Abacha stadium. In fact my fans in kano have been calling. It will be a special moment for me and my family. I know my fans will storm the stadium to support me. Meanwhile, Pillars will be visiting us on April 8. People are saying it is going to be a difficult match for us but I say it will be the easiest. They will collect not less than four goals. I am not afraid of playing against Kano Pillars.