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Video: Here I Am, Call Me, Nigerian Player Abroad, Balarabe, Tells Rohr

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Another Nigerian player in the Diaspora, Sadiq Salisu Olaniyi Balarabe, is calling on Gernot Rohr, the Super Eagles’ manager, to give him a chance to prove his worth and play for Nigeria.
The Nigerian born in the United Kingdom, who has made similar call in the past, informed Sports Village Square that he was prepare to honour a call even at his cost, just to be of service to the Super Eagles.
He is currently engaged by Portuguese second division side, Gil Vicente Futebol Clube. Before then, he had featured for Reading FC in the second tier English Football League, the Championship.
In a conversation with Sports Village Square, Sadiq tells his story.
“When I was released by Reading and not offered a professional contract in England, I moved to the USA to pick up on my education and try my luck with football over there.
“It seemed like a good idea. I was never good in school because all I thought about, and was very good at was football. So moving to America gave me a chance to leave my comfort zone at home and see another life and option.
“In USA, I played and studied there for three years and I scored a total of 54 goals for my club and colleges.
“After such a good playing record, I started receiving messages of interest from professional clubs in Europe, so I did not hesitate to return home.
“I then went to see a club in both Spain and Germany before finally deciding to sign a contract in Greece.
“There I spent three years playing for three different clubs – Iraklis Pschana, Niki Volou and Levante.
“In those three years, (playing primarily as a left winger). I managed to score around 20 to 23 goals.
“I then felt it was time for me to try for bigger and better things to progress my career to a bigger stage, and by Gods grace I signed in the Portuguese 2nd division for Gil Vicente FC.
“It was then I gave my thoughts and ambitions to the Nigerian media as I believe with my ability and the right chance I am ready to help do big things for our nation

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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