I am short but I do great things tall goalkeepers cannot do – Dami Paul

Dami Paul how would describe the 2012/2013 Nigeria Premier League season?The concluded season was not easy especially for Nasarawa United which was newly promoted. However, it was an interesting experience for me. It was one of the best seasons I have ever experienced. Up to the last second on the final day of the league, […]

Dami Paul how would describe the 2012/2013 Nigeria Premier League season?
The concluded season was not easy especially for Nasarawa United which was newly promoted. However, it was an interesting experience for me. It was one of the best seasons I have ever experienced. Up to the last second on the final day of the league, nobody could say who was going on relegation or who would win the league. Despite the fact that I got injured along the way, I did my best for Nasarawa United. I thank God for the season and I thank God that we are still in the NPL.
Nasarawa started the season very well but managed to escape relegation on the last day. What went wrong with the team?
Actually we started good because we have quality players. We the players know where and when the problem of the team started but we have to keep it to ourselves. It was not from the players. It was more like political issues off the field. The problems were from the coaches and management. In the end, attempts were made to reposition the team but it was like too late to be back on course and that was how we continued to struggle.
As a former junior international, many people expect you should be playing for a bigger club. What informed your choice of Nasarawa united?
There are so many reasons a player may go to a club that may be considered small by other people. Most times players like clubs that will give them playing time so that they will prove themselves. Sometimes environment determines where a player will like to stay. There are players who do not like pressure and there are some who do better under pressure. You see there are some players if you take them to a quiet environment, they won’t be able to give you result. Personally, I prefer where I can get challenges but it should be a good environment for me to play football without distractions from anybody. It is better to be in a small club than to be in a big club where nobody will be looking at you. You will always be on the bench. Moreover many coaches move with their players. As they move, they take such players along with them. They know who is good and who is not good. I went to Nasarawa United because of my relationship with my first coach, Bala Nyikyu. He is my first coach and he exposed me to football. He personally picked his phone and called me that he needed my services and there was no way I would turn him down. If I am writing my history today, he must be part of it. Although it was in a lower club, I had to go. My going to Nasrawa was to bring them back to the Premier League. And finally God answered my prayers. We brought the team back to premier which was our first aim. That was why I went to play for Nasarawa. It was not money. It was my personal relationship with their former coach.
Are you considering a third season with Nasarawa United or you intend to look elsewhere for greener pastures?
Actually, life itself is all about change. So many people are expecting me to leave but I have not decided if I will stay or not. But in a short time from now, I should decide whether to stay or leave the club. Before the season ended, I was telling my team mates that it is not all about playing for a big club but a chance to prove oneself. Playing for money is not the ultimate.  I told them even if I play for a club in division 30, it is not anybody’s business. It’s about my happiness. There are great goalkeepers who are better than me but because of the environment they found themselves, they cannot be seen. A club can sign you as a great goalkeeper today but if the coach does not like your face, you can do nothing. I prefer to go to where I can be given a chance to show my talent so that tomorrow I will be invited to a bigger club.
How did you get into the junior national teams?
It was a kind of surprise to me. Honestly, I was called to the national team not because I played for a big club but it was because I was good. I was in an academy but big clubs were looking for me. Coach Bala Nyikyu saw me and invited me to come and be part of the Abuja amateur league. I never knew big coaches were watching me. I started like that but along the line I had injury that kept me out for like six weeks. I was at home trying to recover from the injury before I heard the call that I was invited to the national U-17 team. I was kind of surprised by the invitation. I never knew people were watching me. That was how I started. I appreciate God and that is the more reason if today I am not chanced to play for Enyimba or kano Pillars, I don’t worry myself. I know that even if I am in my backyard and I am to play for Super Eagles, they will look for me.
How would describe your experiences in the Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles squads of 2009 and 2011?
I have to thank God for the opportunity he gave to me to represent my country. I took the opportunity with everything in have inside me. Honestly it was a great experience playing at the national team level.  I will continue to appreciate God and the NFF for their support. It was a wonderful experience winning the Africa U-20 Championship in South Africa. Nobody gave us a chance to bring the cup to Nigeria but with God on our side we did. I have to give thanks to God and the coach John Obuh for giving me the chance to be his number one. I will never regret playing for Nigeria.
You were a member of the 2009 Golden Eaglets that failed to win the World U-17 championship when Nigeria was the host. The set of 2013 just emerged victorious in the UAE. How happy are you with this achievement?
Honestly in our time we got to the final but did not win. We did not win the trophy but these guys have wiped our tears because up to this moment, there were tears in our eyes. We were supporting them with prayers hoping they would win the trophy to wipe away our tears. After the final match, I was so happy because I felt I was part of the victorious team. It was a great achievement. We join them in celebrating the victory which to me is for Nigeria and the whole of Africa.
Having been there before, what advice do you have for the youngsters?
My advice to them is that they have to keep their head low. They should not be carried away by this success. There are some who will fall victim of bad advice and friends. They should be thinking of how to graduate to the Flying Eagles. I know what we experienced during our time. It was not easy. So many of us were dropped because they lost form because of the success we had. They indulged in one or two things that were not good enough. Anytime you achieve something, you have to go back on your knees to give God the glory and pray for God’s guidance. This is the time for trials. With the little money given to them, some would start living new life like clubbing, drinking and hanging out. They will have more friends who would come to help them kill their dreams. The Eaglets must remain cool because they have a lot to offer to this country.
Having played for U17 and U-20, what is the next target for you as far as keeping goal for the country is concerned?
I am still looking forward to see if I would be invited to the U-23 which is my next target. I just pray the coach that will be there would find me worthy to be invited to the team. I should be given the chance to show what I still have to offer. Today many people are trying to condemn my height. I tell them it is not all about height. I want such critics to know that there are goalkeepers with the so called good height who cannot jump more than me. Most of them don’t use the advantage they have with their height. I know what I am capable of doing. I do not have height but anytime I am given a chance, I do great things tall goalkeepers cannot do. I just pray the coach would give me the chance to come and prove that I still have something to offer my country.