By Fisayo Dairo
It is always refreshing to see newcomers emerge in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as they strut their stuff against prominent campaigners in the league.
Season in, season out, new players are birthed like unfettered cheetahs from various clubs; but behind these emergence is an untold amount of hardwork put in by these players before getting the green light to compete among Nigeria’s footballing elites.
Physically, the players face some of the hardest training sessions in their young careers and many still have to surmount the emotional distrust from many top flight managers who are not willing to risk these youngsters due to want of results.
The making of a new sensation
This time last year, Lukman Idowu Bello was an adventurous young man who hoped to kick start a footballing career with his church team; the Family Worship Centre Football Club. Fast-forward seven months later, Bello had trialled with NPFL side Abia Warriors and was handed a contract instantly.
He has had to wait for his time though, making his NPFL bow on Match Day 7 at home to Dakkada FC. Since then, Bello has not looked back; starting five consecutive games. He has also had to wait till the fifth time of asking before getting his maiden goal.
“It’s not been easy for me being the first time I’m in the Nigeria Professional Football League,” began Bello to www.npfl.ng
“All my ambition and training since joining this club was to get a goal for myself within my first three games.
“I’ve been working on it in training and the coaches have been telling me that how I position myself really matters.
“I thank God that I got the goal when it really matters for my team,” said the 6ft 7inches tall striker who scored his side’s third goal in a 3-0 triumph over leaders Plateau United last week.
“The goal has really lifted a lot of burden from my mind,” he says in a hugely relieving tone.
“Each time I call my people that we won, they would ask me that ‘Did you score?’ I would reply that No, I didn’t score. But on Sunday, I was the one that called them to tell them that I scored o so I was very happy.”
Competition for places
As if being new to the league is not enough as a challenge for Bello, the centre forward has had to battle with other experienced stars for places in his striking position with the team.
While the likes of Abdulsalam Atinsola who was Warriors’ saving grace last term remains at the club, Bello joined Warriors the same time as experienced Ivorian striker Guy Keumian who has played in three different countries in Africa including Nigeria.
The Iwo, Osun state born forward says he is unfazed by the competition and will always do his utmost to remain in the starting lineup.
“It’s not been easy especially being a striker. You know, we strikers have what we call form. Sometimes, you pick form, sometimes you’re not in form.
“So since I came, I’ve been trying all my possible best just to be the first person to be in that team. I don’t what to know if the other strikers are bigger than me or more experienced so I just always put in all my efforts in training to make sure I come good,” he added.
Abia Warriors form
The modest side from Umuahia, the Abia state capital have proved to be one of the most difficult oppositions for any side this season. Emmanuel Deutsche’s men have lost just two games this term. That is beside inflicting the heaviest defeat on leaders Plateau United on Sunday.
League observers have tipped the Warriors for greatness this term and Bello explains reason for their form so far.
“When I came to the team, I heard from the coaches that since they have been grooming players that this is their best assembled squad and they are more of young guys.
“So, the competition in the team is so high that if you’re not up to scratch, the coach will not pick you and this has really helped the team on the pitch.
“We keep giving our best every day and we take each game as they come,” he submitted.
Currently placed 4th on the log, Abia Warriors will travel to Ilorin to face Kwara United in their Match Day 12 clash on Sunday.
