Nyima Nwagua, Rivers United forward, has revealed the major reason why he left Kano Pillars to join the Nigeria Professional Football League leaders.

Nyima, who has been one of the brightest stars in the domestic league this season, told Footballrover in an exclusive interview that he joined the Port Harcourt outfit in quest of a new challenge.

The 27-year-old forward also revealed how he started off his football career with the Indomitable Lions of Bori and progressed to the level where he is today with the Pride of Rivers.

Read the full interview below….

Can we meet Nyima Nwagua ?

Am Nyima Nwagua Rivers United strikers and formal kano Pillars player but now on home soil playing for my darling state. Am from Khana local government and kono community but my mum is from Gokhana so I share both Bodo and kono communities both in rivers state and Ogoni precise

How did your career start?

(Smiles) ….. By the special grace of God it all started with indomitable lions of Bori, then I moved to Dolphins and finally, Go Round FC gave me the platform.

Were your parents ever in support of you playing football as a career?

Of course, they were but they only made sure I finished my education

How did you make your way into Nigerian Profession Football League?

FA Cup match in Makurdi against a team there .. Godwin Uwa of Lobi Stars saw me n that was it. Though I had a short spell with Shooting Stars of Ibadan before then.

Which game has been the toughest so far for you?

I will say Sunshine Stars in the first stanza

Who is the toughest defender you have come up against in Nigeria?

Gbadabo Samson of Akwa United

I’m sure a lot of people will love to know why you left Kano Pillars for the Stanley Eguma side?

(Smiles)… I left because I needed fresh challenge… I have paid my dues there, tried to win the league couple of seasons, it didn’t come but was able to give them FA Cup which we were all grateful for.

So you left in search of league title?

No, I left because I needed a fresh challenge

And you went ahead to score against them last month, what does that mean to you? I mean, how did you feel?

It was a mixed feelings for me playing against a team that gave me so much. it was like I was playing against my shadow but it is what it is, I’m now in Rivers United, I have to justify my presence here too.

Could that be reason why you didn’t celebrate the goal ?

I couldn’t celebrate and I was never going to celebrate…..

What does it feel like working with Stanley Eguma?

You just have to be ready to work and Win that’s how it feels… He wants to win and for you to be here your mentality has to be on that level…

Moving back from Kano, what has life been like in Rivers State ?

It has been really different, though I’ve always been here during holidays, so no much difference – just a bit of the weather and you now playing in front of family more.

What target did you set for yourself before signing for Rivers United?

Winning what have I’ve not been able to win and scoring more goals, though surpassing my previous seasons is always my focus every year.

And they do say goals give players a lot of confidence, five goals so far this season, how comfortable are you with that and achieving your goals?

(Smiles)… I’m never comfortable that’s why I always work hard.

And how possible is it for you this season to outscore your previous record?

Still counting and impossibilities is not in my world

As a forward, what does scoring often for your team mean to you?

It means a lot because, a side that scores has the advantage of winning matches.

Rivers United are in good form this season, currently top of the league, nine games to go, do you see your side lifting the trophy at the end of the campaign??

We are taking each game at a time… That’s the plan.. by the grace of God it will come to pass

What are your best moments so far?

Each time we win and the referee blows the final whistle are my best moments now…. 💙💙

There are a lot of negative talks and stories about Nigerian League, which I wouldn’t want us to dive into, but as a player in the league, what is that one thing you would love to change in NPFL??

Right now I prefer what we are doing to speak for us in the league…. Good football and spectacular goals…. ie the touches over the weekend and the golazo I think that’s the beauty of any league

People do say that Nigerian League is very tough, how true is that and what do you think contributed to it??

The league is very physical sometimes and no much space marking so for you to be able to play u have to be fast strong n intelligent…. it’s a tough league.

Rivers United are already looking like league champions, sitting seven points clear at the top of the table. They are yet to face Kano Pillars in the rematch, but Nyima Nwagua is confident and can’t wait to assist the Port Harcourt outfit achieve that feat.

𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕? 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒙!