The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Igbinoba

  • CHAN Eagles’ list omission shocks Igbinoba

    CHAN Eagles’ list omission shocks Igbinoba

     • Ready to continue giving best to Nasarawa United

    Nasarawa United midfielder and the highest goals scorer in the Glo Premier League this season, Esosa Igbinoba has expressed his surprise at his omission from the camp of the home based Super Eagles’ players who are preparing for the first leg of the CHAN qualifier against the Stallions of Burkina Faso.

    Igbinoba, despite playing as an attacking midfielder, has carried the Solid Miners almost single-handedly in the league this season with eye poaching crucial goals both home and away.  In a chat with SportingLife, the former Lobi Stars’ player stated that he has asked series of questions on what remains to be done by him to be in the team on merit.

    The Nasarawa United midfielder however told SportingLife that he wishes the team well against Burkina Faso in both matches and that he would be delighted whenever the national team selectors extend a call up to him.

    He nonetheless argued that under current form and with the number of goals he has scored from the midfield he ought to have been picked to show his stuff in the camp adding that only few midfielders could score as many goals as he has netted for his club in the premier league this season.

    “I am surprised that I was not called up. It makes me to wonder whether I am a Nigerian or not. For someone to score 15 goals from the

    midfield and yet not be on the list of 25 best players in the Nigerian league, I am so surprised.

    “I don’t have any problem with that because I will continue to give my best to my club and also hope that one day I will be picked on merit,” Igbinoba told SportingLife.

    Igbinoba’s 15 goals for the Solid Miners has made him the current leading scorer in the league ahead of Sunshine Stars’ Tunde Adeniji(14

    goals), Chikatara Chisom (Abia Warriors), 13 goals , Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves), 13 goals and others in the race for the top marksman at the end of the season.

  • New form excites Igbinoba

    New form excites Igbinoba

    Lobi Stars’ Esosa Igbinoba has attributed his new found form to the constructive criticisms he got from his trusted friends.

    Igbinoba was overlooked for selection by the Makurdi Bombers handlers due to poor form but his recent resurgent form made him to be picked again.

    He has become the rejection stone that has become the pillar of the house for Lobi after his improved form coincided with the club’s five matches unbeaten run in the premier league.

    The ex- Edo Insurance midfielder was in inspiring form for his club in the last league game against Gombe United and he once again proved to be helpful at dead ball situations as he buried the team’s first goal from the penalty spot in the 44th minute.

    Lobi scored another goal in the second half to run away 2-0 winners but Igbinoba has told SportingLife that he would ever be grateful to his critics who have helped him in turning a new leave.

    He opined he has learnt from his mistakes and that having scored three goals this season, he would strive to get more goals to prove doubters wrong that his new found form was no fluke.

    “I give glory to God who gave me the talent that some kindhearted individuals explored to make me a good player. I went through curves at some stages in my career which allowed doubts to creep into my self belief but I thank God that I have been able to recover to be a better player,” Igbinoba told SportingLife.