Shuaib, Giwa’s Emerging Star Targets 30 Goals
At the conclusion of the 2013/14 season, then little known Giwa FC finished strongly in the top four bracket, missing a continental ticket by just one slot. Shrugging off a sluggish start to the new season, the Tin City side has stayed among the pacesetters in the Nigerian top division for five match days running. This story of an impressive start by the Elephants of Jos can also be tied to their 20-year-old striker, Ibrahim Shuaibu.
Shuaibu, who can also play as a second striker, has turned heads with his performance this season in the Glo Premier League - scoring five goals - and is currently joint- top scorer with Tunde Adeniji of Sunshine Stars.
Last season, Shuaibu scored 12 goals which helped Giwa FC finish fourth but it does appear that the forward now has his sight set on surpassing the 12 goals he scored last season. He contends that there is every possibility he can hit the 30-goal mark and become the first player to achieve such feat in the league.
Shuaibu is also targeting either the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup of next year with Giwa FC. He is very confident that the Elephants of Jos have the squad to win a ticket to the continent though he admits that the season is still a long road from the finish.
“It is still early in the season but to be honest with you I want to do better than last season. Last year we were very close to finishing in the top three and we were almost also winning a ticket to the continent but somehow that didn’t happen. This year we are very determined to win a continental ticket, and I believe my goals and hard work from my teammates will help us achieve such.
“For me, I want to score may be 30 goals or 35. I trust in God that this can happen if I do not suffer any injuries or get suspended. It is possible with the help of my teammates who have been wonderful this season,” said Shuaibu to npfl.ng.
Shuaibu says he is enjoying this season and has his teammates to thank for his productive shift so far in front of goal. Interestingly Shuaibu did not score in Giwa FC’s opening 14 games of last season but netted a hat- trick against Kaduna United (now competing in the lower division) as his team won 4- 0.
He explains the difference between this term and last: “I think last season was not easy because Giwa FC were a new team in the league. It was not easy joining a team that just won promotion last year and trying to settle down and know other players and how they play. But once I started understanding them it became easier. We have very good players like Saleh Mohammed, Nojeem Raji, Gyan Dadung Amos, Charles Okoro and our captain Charles Henlong. I can’t mention everyone but that’s how good this Giwa FC team is. That’s why we play without fear for any team,” he told npfl.ng.
Shuaibu insisted that their fearless approach has already seen them pick points at difficult venues so far, including at Enyimba over the weekend when they played a 0-0 draw. The striker also declared that Giwa FC are not afraid of the big teams like champions Kano Pillars and Enyimba.
“This season the team I have found difficult to play against is Abia Warriors. They play very good football and made it difficult for us to play against them,” he said. “A lot of people talk about Enyimba and Kano Pillars but we are ready to play against them without fear. That was why we were able to get a point in Aba when we played against Enyimba on Sunday. I think those big teams should be afraid of us now.”
The former Wikki Tourists striker is now looking forward to their next Glo Premier League fixture against FC Taraba and though he wants to score and extend their unbeaten run to seven, he knows they cannot afford to dismiss the Jalingo-based club before kicking the ball.
“It’s a very important game for us. It’s a game we want to win because it could mean we will return to the top of the table and also continue our unbeaten run. But we won’t underrate FC Taraba,” Shuaibu concluded. Dolphins vs Enyimba Abia Warriors vs Kano Pillars Shooting Stars vs Rangers Heartland vs Akwa United Wiki Tourists vs Lobi Stars Giwa FC vs FC Taraba Gabros FC vs Sharks EL-Kanemi vs Bayelsa United Nasarawa vs Sunshine Stars Kwara Utd vs Warri (postponed)