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From an ambitious street soccer chap in Abesan Estate, Lagos, Shobowale Azeez now plies his football trade for two-time consecutive Champions and current Nigeria Premier League leaders Kano Pillars FC as a winger. He bares it all out in an exclusive interview with Azeez Mustapha of BlackBox Nigeria,
Excerpt;

It is the dream of every locally based upcoming star to play for a top club as Kano Pillars, I know there must be a story in your achievement?‎
It has not been easy as the first child of the family coupled with the fierce competition in the league, expectations are high, everyone looks up to you to succeed. My junior brother Ibrahim looks up to me for inspiration and I just can't disappoint.

Did you earn your parents support when you choose to become a professional football player and did your dad also play the game?
My father didn't play the game. But my parents were so keen about my success, so they have been very supportive from the onset. My junior brother plays football too having followed my footstep and he enjoys same support.

Tell us about the journey so far, before you joined this premier league heavyweight club?
I started my professional football with Bukola Babes(Abs) of Ilorin and I spent two seasons there before I moved to Dolphin FC of Port Harcourt and Shooting Stars(3sc) of Ibadan where I spent one season respectively. So when the season ended I joined Kano Pillars FC.

Did the coach sign you by himself or you where discovered by club scouts?
The coach signed me on at the end of last season, it all started when I played against his team and he collected my number after the game. So when the season ended he gave me a call to join his team and I accepted his offer.

Just like that, no negotiations or transfer fee involved between 3sc and Kano Pillars?
Majority of clubs in this league don't offer players more than one year contract, so I was already out of contract with shooting stars when he called me at the end of last season and I wanted to move to Kano pillars to play for the coach.

Being a new player in a new club with new set of teammates, how have you been able to blend with your new family?
I am a professional footballer and I don't change clubs to make new friends, so how my teammates welcome me is not my business because they are not the reason why am at the club. All I do is concentrate on my football and do what I know how to do best.

But many believes that the relationship among teammates off the field do influence the out come of games, what if you don't get the passes from the middle considering the fact that you play as a winger in the team?
We are all professional footballers, so I will get the passes on the field of play because we are our brothers keeper on the field of play and we win and lose together. So we would play together as a team because we are working towards the same goal of winning games for the team and that is why we all are here, and after the game once you have done your job and left the field nobody has time for anybody.

You play alongside one-cap super eagles player Muhammad Gambo, home-base eagles stand-out performer at the 2014 edition of CHAN, Rabiu Ali and legendary captain and goalkeeper of the team Afelokhai Theophilus, who would you regard as the most influential player in the dressing room?
Muhammad Gambo has scored so many goal for the club and was also born in Kano, so Kano Pillars is his home town club and Rabiu Ali on the other hand is also a top-performer for the team and the fans love him but the most influential player in the dressing room is the skipper, he is the spokesman for the players in and out of the field and he has been at the club since 2005. He is more like a legend and lord in the eyes of the fans and the club alike and believe me when I tell you, he is a really nice person.

You scored the all important goal against Sharks Fc in the league, how would you rate your performance?
Yes I have been performing but I can't rest on my oars because I can only get better, I have scored goals this season and I want to keep improving.


What are your immediate goals?
I want to play well enough to earn a call-up to the under-23 team from new coach Samson Siasia and hopes for a rewarding and juicy move to Europe if one comes begging.

Taking cue from the Kayode Olanrewaju vs Mr Ogunjobi's saga, I will like know if all our local players have football agents handling their transfer?
Most of the people that call themselves football agents in Nigeria are thieves and they don't have the player's career at heart, all they do is fight for their own pocket and that is why I don't have one to handle my transfers.

Just three matches to go you, must be dreaming about the third consecutive league title for the team already?
Very soon am sure the dream will come to reality by God's grace.

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