I won’t disappoint Pillars fans- Papa Idris

You had your first cap for the Super Eagles against the Palacas Negras of Angola. How excited are you with this development? I am so happy and as I have started very well, I won’t allow anything to distract my concentration. I will keep my head low and strive to give my best at all […]

You had your first cap for the Super Eagles against the Palacas Negras of Angola. How excited are you with this development?

I am so happy and as I have started very well, I won’t allow anything to distract my concentration. I will keep my head low and strive to give my best at all times. This is an opportunity I want to utilize maximally. I am going to buckle up to see that I keep it up. I will keep improving on what I am doing presently.

You missed out on the U-23 team under Austin Eguavoen but you are now a key member of the Home-based Eagles. Has this assuaged that disappointment?

For me this is appropriate compensation for me from God almighty. When I was dropped my people asked so many questions but I kept telling them that God’s time is the best and I think this is God’s time. This is the right opportunity for me and I am going to grab it with two hands.

If given a chance, do you believe this team can bring back Nigeria’s lost glory in football?

With God and hard work, everything is possible. I am confident that if given enough opportunities to play together, we would be able to bring back the lost glory. Everybody here is determined to give his best. Our coaches have been patient with us and we are beginning to build our confidence. The comments by Nigerians after our game against Angola have been most encouraging. However, we are just starting so we would not allow only one outing to deceive us. There are so many bridges ahead of us. The country needs the best from us and we are going to make them happy. It is our chance to atone for the past disappointments.

If not for the ongoing nationwide strike the team would have been in Liberia for the presidential inauguration match. Are you sure this team would have beaten the Lone Stars of Liberia?

With the spirit in camp which is really high, had it been we travelled to Liberia, we would have beaten them convincingly. Even though we did not make it this time, anytime we play that match, we are going to win.

You have just joined Kano Pillars from Kaduna United. Why did you leave United?

Although I am from Kaduna State, I have played for so many years in Kaduna and I needed to change environment. For me it is a better switch. Secondly, to be honest, in terms of everything, there is no basis for comparison between the two clubs. Kano Pillars is one of the best clubs in the country. Pillars FC is bigger than Kaduna United. I am happy with the move because it is the best for me.

Kano Pillars is star studded. How do you hope to break into first eleven of the team?

I am confident I can break into the team because this is football and once you are determined, you will surely succeed. Moreover, nobody is using two heads or three legs to play. We are all human beings and once you are determined, you will make it.

What do you hope to win with Pillars this season?

By the special grace of God, I would like to win the league and my second Federation Cup with Pillars. These are my targets and I am going to give the club every support to win laurels this season.

How do you hope to cope with the pressure from the teeming fans of Kano Pillars?

Coping with fans pressure is not a problem. I have played on the continent with Kaduna United and I am exposed to playing before large crowd. Kano fans like good football and I am going to make a lot of friends among them because I hope to give them good performances. I think I know what it means to disappoint Pillars fans and I promise not to let them down.

By inviting you to the senior national team would you say Coach Keshi has given your career a big boast?

I don’t know how much to thank him and the other coaches, All I can do is to keep doing my best to prove that all he has been saying about me is not false. If I fail to perform, then people will question his assessment of me as a player.