Babadidi’s injury affected my performance – Sanusi Sani

How did you start your football career? I started playing football right from my primary school days. When I got into secondary school I continued. I attended Government secondary school Gwandu in Gombe State. I later attended Vocational secondary school where I won the Shell Cup in Port-Harcourt in 2006. I was awarded a gold […]

How did you start your football career?

I started playing football right from my primary school days. When I got into secondary school I continued. I attended Government secondary school Gwandu in Gombe State. I later attended Vocational secondary school where I won the Shell Cup in Port-Harcourt in 2006. I was awarded a gold medal which is still important to me.

Did you enjoy any support from your parents when you started?

No, I did not. In fact my father was highly against me playing football. At a stage, I used to hide my football booths and training kits before I could go for training. However, when we won the Shell Cup and I brought home some money, my father was happy. He was surprised. He said so this football can bring us money. From that day, he started supporting me. He even bought football kits for me. Now he is very proud of me. He is my leading supporter.

Who was your role model when you started?

When I started, I wanted to be like Kanu Nwankwo. I like the way Kanu played during his days in the Super Eagles. Even now, I am doing my best to be like him. He is one of the greatest players that Nigeria has produced. Kanu is indeed my role model.

Before joining Gombe United, which other clubs did you play for?

When I completed my secondary school, I played for a national amateur side in Gombe called Gombe Lions. From there, I moved to play for Yerima Strikers in Zamfara State. I later played for Zamfara United for two seasons before returning home to join Gombe United. Gombe is my home town and I am happy playing for the team.

When the league started, you were one of the leading goal scorers but as the season progressed, you scored less and Gombe also struggled. What went wrong?

I have scored 11 times for Gombe United this season in the NPL. As you rightly said, at a stage, I was the leading goal-scorer. Gombe started on a promising note but along the line, my strike partner Mustpaha Babadidi was sidelined by injury. Babadidi and I were doing really well. We understand each other and that helped us. When he was playing, there was no match we played without scoring. Its either he scored or I scored. Later he sustained an injury and that affected my performance. It affected me because there was nobody who could pair with me the way he did. That began the problems of Gombe United this season.

You are now in Super Eagles camp. Can you describe the feeling?

When I got the invitation, I was very happy because it is every player’s dream to play for his country. This is my first time in the national camp and I believe the future for me is very bright. I am doing my best to make an impact.

What can you say about competition for shirts in the national camp?

I do not see much difference here because all of us are home based players. We have been meeting in the league and most of us are friends. There is nothing so different here. Moreover, my Coach in Gombe, Coach Bernard Ogbe has given me the necessary tips so I am very much at home.

Have you learnt anything new under Coach Keshi?

I have learnt a lot under Keshi. He is like a father to us. He is a big coach who knows what he is doing. I have never played before under a big coach like Keshi but due to his fatherly attitude, I am very much at ease. Before I met him, I was afraid but now, instead of fear Keshi, I respect him enormously.

Keshi’s predecessors’ paid less attention to home based players but he has changed all that. How commendable is this?

He is doing the right thing because we also deserve to be given a chance to represent our country. I want to urge him to continue because there are so many good players in the country who can compete for shirts with the foreign based players. When we are here, our game improves and it opens opportunity for us to get clubs abroad.

What should Nigerians expect from you if you are picked to play against Liberia on September 8?

I will give my best. All of us are doing our best to make good use of this opportunity.

What are your plans for professional football abroad?

I am also planning to move abroad. If I get a good offer, I will be happy to go but for now, nothing concrete is on ground. I am still waiting for any good opportunity that will come my way. I know that by God’s grace I will move abroad to complete my career.

Do you have any foreign club in mind?

If I have opportunity to play abroad, I would like to play for Manchester United. That is the club I support and I like the Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. He knows how to bring the best out of his players. However, I cannot just go there. I have to start from somewhere.  I can start from anywhere in Europe. If I make a name, then even Manchester United will come looking for me.

Have you been approached by any Nigerian Premier League club?

Yes, some have approached me to join them but the truth is that if I don’t get a foreign club, I will stay with Gombe United. Gombe is my town and I want to continue playing there. There is no place like home. Moreover, I am enjoying the team and I like the way the coach is treating me.

If you remain in Gombe, what would be your target for next season?

I would like to be the highest goal-scorer next season. Even this season, if not for the minor injured I sustained and the absence of Mustpaha Babadidi for a greater part of the season, I would have emerged as the highest goal-scorer.

What would you say is your best match this season?

I think my best match was against Enyimba FC in Gombe. I played very well and scored the two goals. Before the match, I said I was going to score against Enyimba and when I scored two goals, I was really happy with my performance.

Which was your worst performance?

I performed badly in our match against Kaduna United in Gombe. I did not play well. I don’t know what happened. We were playing draw at home and I wanted to change the result of the match but I could not play my normal game. After the match, I was disappointed.

You scored at least 11 league goals but which would you say is the best?

I can say the second goal I scored against Enyimba. It was a beautiful goal and I like the way I scored it. Our left full back over lapped and made a cross. I controlled the ball in the air and as I turned, I did not allow it to drop before I volleyed the ball into the net.

Which defence in the NPL would you say is the most difficult you have faced?

Let me say Sunshine Stars defence. Their defenders are hard. When we played against Sunshine in their home, I really suffered. The defenders knew me as the danger man so they were really hard on me. In their attempt to prevent me from scoring, most of them committed unprofessional fouls against me. But the fact is that I am now used to defenders who bully me. I am never afraid of any defender in the NPL. Football is not about physique but a strong heart.

Sani, it is an open secret that footballers like exotic cars. What is your dream car?

I want to ride Toyota Camry. If I have money that is the brand of car I will like to drive. For now I do not have money but if God should bless me with enough money tomorrow, that’s the car I will go for.