Loss to El-Kanemi is wake-up call for Abia Warriors
Abia Warriors FC striker, Sheriff Bashir has said his team’s embarrassing 0-1 defeat at home against El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri is a wakeup call so the mishap is not going to dampen their morale. He also spoke to SHOT! on his blossoming career and ex
How disappointed were you when Abia Warriors lost at home to El-Kanemi Warriors in your week nine fixture? Honestly, I lack words to express our disappointment when we lost at home to El-Kanemi Warriors. We were not expecting such a result against a team that was doing badly away from their home ground. Without looking down on our opponents, I cannot say they are the type of team that should have beaten us at home. Unfortunately they came and beat us in front of our home fans and the pain was much. Well, we have since accepted the result because there is nothing we can do to reverse it. We can only wait for the second round to see if we can get back our pound of flesh from them.
Will it be right to say Abia Warriors underrated their opponents?
No, we didn’t underrate El-kanemi because we take every match seriously. It was hard luck. As professionals, we know that every club in the league deserves respect. What I am saying is that based on their poor away record before our match, nobody gave them a chance. Like I said, we are going to move on from the setback. We cannot continue to cry over what has happened already. It has happened but it is not the end of the road. How did you get into Abia Warriors? Unknown to many people, this is actually my third year in the club. I joined Abia Warriors since 2014 from Bayelsa United. The difference is that I am having more playing time now and that is why people are beginning to notice my presence in the league. How did you start your football career? Like any other Nigerian football player, I started right from primary school up to secondary school. But professionally, I started in 3SC as far back as 2008 when I was picked from a youth football tournament. I was sent to the Feeder team because I was considered too small to play for the senior team. When I was through with my school, I joined Crown FC where I played in the Professional league for three seasons before I travelled abroad for trials. When I returned from abroad, I joined Bayelsa United in 2013. In 2014, I moved over to Abia Warriors where I have been playing since.
Did you enjoy the support of your parents when you started?
I got the blessings of my dad and mum. They supported me in different ways. Although I have lost my mum, my dad is still alive and is always there for me. He is certainly proud of the little I have already achieved in football. As a matter of fact, he is my number one fan.
What are your expectations in Abia Warriors?
My expectations are not much. I just want to keep contributing my quota to the success of the club. Every player wants to win laurels and that is my dream. I want to keep working hard because I know that hard work pays. When I first joined Abia Warriors, I was like a fringe player but today, I am gradually becoming a regular in the team. Since success calls for more hard work, I want to keep working hard.
What is your most memorable moment so far in the ongoing NPFL season?
Without any doubt, I will say our victory over Enugu Rangers was the best moment for me and the club. Before that match, Abia Warriors had not beaten Rangers. So for us to beat them for the first time and right there in Enugu, was simply amazing. It was a very special moment. And for me as an individual, it was my best match because my coaches and team mates voted me the man of the match. Although I did not score, I assisted with the first goal. It was indeed a good outing for me What is your worst match for now? Honestly, I don’t have to think twice. It is the match we lost to El-Kanemi Warriors in Umauhia. That was our worst performance this season. However, in a game of football, you win, lose or draw so we are not going to be demoralised. I see that defeat as a wake-up call so we are going to tighten our loins. With the support of our management, we shall overcome the setback.
Super Eagles midfielder, Paul Onubi has joined your team. How important is he to Abia Warriors?
He is a good and experienced player in the league. We are lucky to have a player with such talent in the team. He is going to make serious contributions to the team. It is rather unfortunate that his debut ended in defeat but he gave a good account of himself.
What is your assessment of the Nigeria Professional Football League?
There are improvements but if truth must be told, we still have a lot to do to get to where we should be. When compared with the leagues in Europe and other African countries, we need to put some things in place to become one of the best leagues in the world. We have the talents but organisation has to be given more attention.
If you are to make suggestions, which areas would you say need to be improved upon?
I will say that officiating has improved but a lot still needs to be done. Most of the referees are doing their best but some are yet to leave the old way of officiating. Sometimes questionable decisions are made and even when such erring referees are later punished by the league organisers, the points had been lost already. The league organisers must monitor closely the activities of some of the referees. Clubs should not win at home by all means. Secondly, the welfare of players should be taken more seriously by the league organisers. Most clubs don’t pay their players as and when due. This kills the morale of the players. As bread winners, they should be given their wages regularly to enable them concentrate on their game.
Do you think improved welfare packages for players would help reduce the continuous exodus of players to Europe?
To be honest with you this is the main reason behind the frequent movement of players in search of clubs abroad. When a good player is not paid his dues, the next thing he does is to join the next available flight in search of greener pastures in Europe. Unfortunately, some of the clubs they go to are not better in terms of standard of play but they are better organised. So I believe if Nigerian clubs would improve on the welfare of their players, the standard of the local league will automatically improve.