Why I sacrificed trials abroad for Eagles- Sibi Gwar

How did your football career start? I started my career with the Junior BCC Lions of Gboko when I was in the secondary school. I later played for the senior team of BCC Lions before moving to Ebonyi Angels where I played the first round of the season. I played 14 matches for Ebonyi Angels […]

How did your football career start?

I started my career with the Junior BCC Lions of Gboko when I was in the secondary school. I later played for the senior team of BCC Lions before moving to Ebonyi Angels where I played the first round of the season. I played 14 matches for Ebonyi Angels and scored 14 goals. In the second round of the season, I moved on to Kwara United and in 11 matches I scored six goals. When the season ended, I left Kwara United for Enyimba FC. In Enyimba, we won the league title and I played the Champions League with them. From Enyimba, I moved over to Lobi Stars. From Lobi, I returned to Kwara United where I later moved to my present club, Niger Tornadoes.

You have been on the move like a nomad. Why the constant movement from one club to another?

It is not my wish to keep moving but you see there are so many problems with Nigerian clubs. They all have financial problems. It is for this reason that you see players moving from one club to another. Like last season I played in Tornadoes and I am still with them. When working conditions are not right, one is left with no option but to move. This season, I was approached by Kwara United and Kano Pillars but I decided to stay and end the season with Tornadoes.

You have played for several NPL clubs, which one of them would you say you enjoyed most in terms of professionalism?

Let me say when I was with Enyimba that time the governor Uzor Orji Kalu who loves sports so much was really supportive. I was not owed anything. Enyimba is the only club I played for and was not owed anything. All the other clubs owed me. But for now, I don’t know much about their financial standing. They really tried for the players but I don’t know if the story is the same.

How much would you say you are owed by Nigerian clubs?

I have not sat down to calculate the total sum but it is over N10m. Going by the present conditions of the clubs, chances are so slim that I can recover the money so I am already looking ahead. I do not want to talk much about the money. I do not want to report anybody. I want to concentrate on playing my game. Today I am the highest goals scorer and by the grace of God, I will be leaving the country very soon. This is my prayer. I do not want anything to distract me.

Sibi let’s talk about your invitation to the Super Eagles. It took a long time to come. How worried were you?

Yes, it took long but I remained confident that my time will come one day and this is the right time. It is every player’s dream to play for his country but I chose to wait patiently. Sometimes people asked me why as the highest goals scorer I was not invited to Eagles camp but I told them God’s time is the best. I thank God for everything.

You are finally here. What should Nigerians expect from you?

This is my first invitation to the national team and Nigerians should expect the best performance from Sibi Gwar. I won’t disappoint my teeming fans. My immediate concern is to score on my debut if handed a chance to play against Niger Republic on Wednesday. I know it is not going to be easy but by the grace of God, I am here to stay.

You have been around for quite some time now. What keeps you going?

Let me say when I started with Kwara United, I was just 21 years. So it is now that I am really mature for the top flight. For the past two seasons I have remained very consistent. I scored ten goals when I was with Kwara United. When I joined Tornadoes mid-season, I played 16 matches and scored 12 goals. This season I have scored 16 goals. I am presently the highest goals scorer in the NPL.

With two matches to go in the NPL do you still believe you can set a new record?

Yeah I believe I can still do it. With my present form, I believe everything is possible. I believe that I can use the remaining two matches to add five more goals to set a new record. You know Jude Aneke scored 20 goals last season. I want to score 21 goals this season.

But now that you are on national assignment are you sure you will have the opportunity to play in the remaining matches?

It depends on the time that the league is going to resume. I don’t know the actual date the league will resume but if I am still in Eagles camp, I am sure my coach will understand with me. I will plead with him and I am confident he will give me the chance to go back and rescue my team from relegation and then come back to the national team.

Considering your current form, are you on the search list of some of the top European club?

It may interest you to know that shortly before I got invitation to the Super Eagles, I was invited for trials in Israel but I turned it down to honour this national invitation. I cannot abandon my country because I want to travel abroad for trials. So I said let me honour the national team invitation before I travel out. This is a rare privilege and I can’t toy with it.

If given a chance, which European club would you like to play for?

My best club is Manchester United. Right from time I have been a Manchester United fan. However, the club I want to play for is Schalke 04 in Germany. That’s my dream club. I always dream of playing for the club. I d not know why but right from when Victor Agali played for the team, I have been dreaming of playing there. I just love Schalke 04.

Which players inspired you when you started your career?

Among the European players I looked up to Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy. In the Super Eagles I admired and tried to play like Daniel Amokachie. I loved his game so much because he played with force. I try to model my game after him because in spite of my modest stature, I also play with skills and force. I am a very forceful player.

So far you have scored 16 goals in the NPL but which would you say is the best?

I will say one of the goals I scored against my former club Kwara United in Abuja. I scored two goals in the 2-2 draw. I scored one of the goals from a free kick close to the circle half. For now, it is my best goal for the season.

Which of the matches would you say is your best?

My best performance this season came against Kano Pillars. We played 1-1 in Minna. They played very well and we also gave a good account of ourselves. Pillars scored first and I equalized in the dying minutes. Let me say it is my best match this season.

What about your worst match this season?

Without doubt I will say our last match against Enyimba FC in Aba. We lost 3-0 and it was a disappointing performance. Before the match, there was a heavy downpour and the pitch became waterlogged. It was difficult to play good football on that kind of pitch. I struggled to play. That was my worst match this season.

You have worked with so many coaches in the NPL, which of them do you enjoy working with?

I have enjoyed working with my present coach, Justin Tenger. It is not because he is my kins-man. I don’t know why but anytime I move with him to any club, I do very well. Beginning from last season, when I was with Kwara United, that was my first season with him, I scored 10 goals. Then he left Kwara United for Wikki Tourists but after the first season he returned to Tornadoes in the second round and invited me to join him. When I joined him in the second round, I played 16 matches and scored 12 goals. And this season, I have scored 16 goals. So I like working with him so much.