It was a dream Glo Premier League debut for Warri Wolves forward, Sikiru Alimi Adewale, whose double and all-round display helped the Seasiders to their first points of the season in their humiliation of Giwa FC on Wednesday.
The former Union Bank of Lagos forward was obviously not overwhelmed by the occasion of playing in Nigeria's top flight division for the first time as he made the difference in the battle between last season's third and fourth-placed teams at the Warri City Stadium.
A well articulated assist for Gbolahan Salami, an emphatic close-range strike before the break and a composed finish after the hour mark aptly summarized Adewale's impressive performance.
Adewale who joined Wolves from First Bank of Lagos at the end of last football season was as excited as the just over 1,000 fans that witnessed the rescheduled Match Day 2 game in Warri. in a post-match chat with npfl.ng Adewale also dedicated his pair of goals to his late dad.
"Honestly, he was my best motivator. He tired everything to make sure I played football as a professional but right now he's no more. I wish he would be around to share this glory with me because I know he would be very proud of me,"said an emotional Adewale.
Adewale's adaptation to life in the top flight started with a stellar showing at the Glo Super Four Invitational where he scored three goals in as many starts. The striker was however quick to point out that the quality in the top flight quite exceeds what he was used to in National League.
"There's a huge quality in the NPFL compared to the lower leagues. (There are) tough opponents and very good players and you have to up your game to be able to cope. I think there's a big difference there," he affirmed.
At Wolves, Adewale is in a fierce competition for places with renowned scorers like Gbolahan Salami, Ogehenekaro Etebo and Onyekachi Okafor but the Nigerian navy product is unfazed by the challenge.
"Although it will be difficult because these are experienced players and of course I'm also learning from them but I'm very confident I can hold my own against them. They've been supportive and I know I have to take my chances when they come like did today," he said.
What a way for Adewale's league adventure to start and if his early season form is anything to go by, a new goal poacher and fans favourite may just have been unearthed.
Story reported and draft from (NPFL)
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