Kada City won’t be a flash in the pan
Papa Idris:
You once appeared on the Nigerian football scene with lot of promises but disappeared almost immediately. What went wrong? Firstly, I have to thank almighty Allah for everything. After I won the FA Cup as captain of Kaduna United in 2010, I moved to Kano Pillars football club from where I travelled to Scotland in search of greener pastures. Unfortunately, I had a problem and I returned to Nigeria. When I came back, I picked an injury that took a very long time to heal. However, to the glory of God, my injury worries are over and I am back and better. I am now playing for Kada City where I am confident my career will be revived.
Having played at the top before, what is it like playing for Kada City?
In Kada City we are not highly rated but we are doing our best to protect the image of the club and the people of Kaduna State. We are like one big family. Although some of the players are new to me, some were my friends even before I joined City. We are working harmoniously to take Kada City to the next level. It took a long time for Premier League football to return to the city of Kaduna. Now that we have done it, we are going to make the people of Kaduna to be happy. It is not going to be easy because most of our players are inexperienced but some of us are around to keep guiding them. So I am enjoying my stay in Kada City.
Apart from you, are there other experienced players in Kada City who can do the mentoring of the younger ones?
We have some tested players in the team. We have Sundy who is a very experienced goalkeeper. He played for Enyimba and Lobi Stars. He also travelled abroad. There is also Kabiru Saraki who played for El-Kanemi Warriors, Gombe United and the rest. We also have Kabiru Sanusi who played for Kwara United and Bayelsa United. In fact we have a mixture of young and old players in Kada City.
Kada City is privately owned. How satisfied are you with the management of the club?
Actually, I don’t have much to say. The proprietor of the club, Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams is doing his best. It takes a lot to run a private club in the Nigerian league. If you look at most of the clubs, they are owned by the state governments. Before I joined Kada City, I played for Kaduna United which is sponsored by the state government so I can tell you confidently that the owner of Kada City is trying. We need more people like him in Nigerian football.
How healthy is the rivalry among the three top clubs in Kaduna, Kada City, Real Stars and Kaduna United?
It is normal to have rivalry among clubs in any state. The rivalry among the three clubs that you’ve mentioned is quite healthy. It is friendly but competitive. Once we get to the field of play, it is serious business. Now that Kada City are in the NPFL, the rivalry is now between Real Stars and Kaduna United who are still in the National League. We are all working together for the good of football in Kaduna State.
What is Kada City’s most painful loss in the ongoing NPFL season?
The most painful, if in terms of performance, I would say the match we lost to Heartland in Owerri. We were leading 2-1 before half time but in the second half we lost concentration and were beaten 3-2. Then I will say our 0-4 loss to Akwa United in Uyo. It is better to forget about it quickly and move on. It was a humiliating defeat that I don’t want to talk about.
What of the best performance for Kada City Stars so far in the NPFL?
I will say our two home matches against Gombe United and El-Kanemi Warriors. The match against Gombe United was the first league match for us at home. It came with pressure for us but we won 2-1. However, it was not easy. They equalised soon after we scored the opener. Then our 2-1 victory against El-Kanemi brought us so much happiness. Our winning goal came in the last minute of the match.
How confident are you that Kada City will retain their place in the NPFL?
We are hoping and praying but hoping won’t give us what we want. We have to work for it and that is what we are ready to do. We are working to ensure that we do not drop points again. I believe with hard work, determination and commitment, we would be able to remain in the NPFL. We are not in the NPFL to do only one season and then go back to the NNL. We won’t be a flash in the pan. Kada City will remain in the NPFL and if possible get something.
Looking back, what was it like playing for Kano Pillars FC?
It was an amazing and exciting experience. You know Pillars are not a small club in Nigeria. Secondly, I joined them when they were playing the best football in 2011/2012. They were simply the best and it was a privilege to be a member of the team at that time. It was from Kano Pillars that I travelled abroad.
What would you say is your most memorable moment in football?
My most memorable moment was when I won the FA Cup as captain of Kaduna United in 2010. It brought me to limelight. It was at the finals in Kano that Pillars requested for my services. And after my performance in the FA Cup final, I was invited to the Super Eagles by Late Stephen keshi. I was a member of the team that prosecuted the qualifiers for the 2013 AFCON. It was in Portugal where we were having the last camping that I was dropped due to injury. So it was injury that denied me the opportunity to be a part of that victorious squad.
Now that you have revived your career, how soon are youy hoping to return to the Super Eagles?
Sure, it is the dream of every good player to play for his fatherland. I have been there before and if another opportunity comes my way, I will take it with both hands. For now, I will keep doing my best for Kada City in the NPFL.