Most Valuable Player in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football Lesgue (NPFL) game between Rivers United and FC Ifeanyiubah Victor Chidume believes his former club Remo Stars played a major role in his development.
Chidume was outstanding in the centre of defence for Ifeanyiubah as they drew 1-1 against their hosts at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.
It was the midfielder-turn-defender who scored the game’s curtain raiser from the penalty spot after the hour mark before Salefu Ochowechi ensured honours were even with a late strike. Both Chidume and Ochowechi were teammates at the relegated Remo Stars last term.
“I learned a lot of things at Remo Stars because we normally play tiki-taka,” Chidume told www.aclsports.com after the game.
“That (Remo) was where I built my confidence. Coach Fatai Osho tells us that whenever you hold the ball, don’t panic, feel free and play the game.
“That’s why if you see me at the centre back position, I am calm and try to calculate very well before I act.”
Chidume was an assured defensive midfielder at Remo last season but has mostly played as a centre back with his new club since joining them last December. He spoke about his conversion and adaptation to his new role.
“Normally, a defensive midfielder can act as s centre back.
“Only thing you need is concentration and you learn fast. I started as a striker but was converted back in 2014 to a defensive midfielder by an expatriate coach and since then I’ve been playing there before Bosso (his current coach) converted me to a centre back,” added Chidume
Sunday’s draw was Ifeanyiubah’s first point away from home in the 11-week old Nigeria Professional Football League season.
