At the start of the 2019/2020 Nigeria National League (NNL) season, Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC management promoted two of its U-15 players, Sufian Bello and Muri Dagbo, to the main team.
The Head Coach of the team, Yomi Elijah, on Saturday handed Dagbo his first appearance for the club in the league and the young defender has expressed happiness at making his debut.
Dagbo was fully of praises for his coach for believing in him to give him an opportunity to start against DMD FC in Maiduguri on Saturday.
“I am very happy to make my debut, the coach handing me my debut away from home shows the huge confidence he has in me.
“I am going to justify the confidence by working hard everyday in training to show him reasons to play me regularly.
“We have quality in the team at every departments, there is competition for places and one must work hard to merit a chance to be in the match day squad.
“The coach included me in his team since the start of the season but hasn’t played me until Saturday, that is a rare opportunity for me.
“I want to thank our Director of Football, Alloy Chukwuemeka, for the believe in young players like me, I will pay the club back with important performances” Dagbo said.
The young defender said the season has started for him and it is a dream come through.
“Since my days in the junior team, I have always nurse the ambition to play for the senior team, I am glad to have seen the dream come through.
“My parents are proud I made my debut at the weekend and they have told me never to lose that opportunity again” Dagbo added.
Coach Yomi Elijah had earlier in the season described Dagbo as one of the best defenders that Nigeria may have had, if he can be focused and work hard.
“Dagbo is a fantastic young man, he reads the game very well, he is full of confidence and initiates attack perfectly building up from the back.
“We will continue to give me the needed support and encouragement to live up to our expectations, with him there is a solution to our national teams defence in the future” Elijah said.
ABS drew 2-2 away to DMD FC of Maiduguri on Saturday and will lock horns with Aklosendi International of Lafia in another away game on Saturday.
The Saraki Boys will return home to face Kogi United in the last game before the league goes on break.
