“We Were Almost There Last Season" - Giwa FC Captain, Ibrahim, Dreams of NPFL Title

Despite six points off leaders Rangers International, second-placed Kano Pillars and MFM FC in third and five points adrift of fourth-placed Lobi Stars, Giwa FC skipper Akide Ibrahim, believes his club can push for their first Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title this season.

Giwa FC’s 2-1 home victory over Rivers United on Match Day 4 and 1-1 away draw at Niger Tornadoes on 24 February earned the coach Gbenga Ogunbote's side just four points from four games to place 16th on the log. The club, who lost their opening game by a lone goal to FC Ifeanyiubah, have an outstanding Match Day 3 encounter away to Nasarawa United on March 23.

Ibrahim, who spoke to npfl.ng after Giwa FC suffered a 2-1 loss to Shooting Stars at Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan last Sunday, reckons the Jos-based club have the potentials to challenge Rangers and other leaders for the title.

“We are just five or six points behind the top four clubs and this difference is just a temporary setback for us. Although, I will agree we had a bad game against Shooting Stars in Ibadan and there was the loss of our first home match to Ifeanyiubah. These losses are so painful but we have resolved to put them behind and forge ahead,” Ibrahim said.

The above indices, according to Ibrahim have gone with history and Giwa FC are renewed for new heights this time round.

“We were almost there last season but lost out unexpectedly at the end. But things have since changed in our camp; we have a few new experienced players including Mutiu Adegoke and Isiaka Olawale, whose experience will rub off on the younger players in the club,” he said.

Ibrahim admitted it could take time for Giwa FC’s players to adapt to Ogunbote’s methods, claiming their team-work so far was a sign things would work positively for the club.

“We’ve shown a great resilience, though some of the games haven’t gone the way we would like this season, but we’re getting our rhythm with the quality of players we have. We are also adjusting to the style of the new coach Ogunbote, and the players have resolved to keep winning our games and hopefully get back to the top," Ibrahim told npfl.ng.

Interestingly, Giwa FC will on Sunday, March 13 host Sunshine Stars, the southwest team that are yet to win a match this season, but Ibrahim said his team would not underrate the Akure Gunners.

“I’ve seen clips of Sunshine Stars games this season where they’ve not played great but their poor start to the season doesn’t make them a whipping side. We will prepare well to beat Sunshine and other opponents henceforth.

“We have a great team spirit and you can see everyone is pulling things together. Since we are working hard to achieve our aim, which is to win,, we will get there,” the soft-spoken but agile player told npfl.ng in an interview in Ibadan. (npfl)