How 'Kolanut boy' Chikatara shot to top of Africa

Chisom Chikatara is today one of the revelations of CHAN 2016 after he was spotted by Abia Warriors chairman Emeka Inyama strutting his stuff for an academy in Umuahia.

Therefore there wouldn’t be a better person to tell the story of Chisom Chikatara, from ‘The Kolanut boy’ to a striker of international repute than Inyama.

Inyama has now said he is fulfilled that his huge investment in youth has finally paid off and Chikatara’s break-out is ‘one big success story’ of his stint at the helm of the Umuahia-based Abia Warriors.

He begins: “Great things really have small beginnings. I am happy this boy has become what he is today. It gives me confidence to keep pushing. It makes me want to give more rookies a chance.

“Here was a boy who had never played for a professional club before. The most he was doing was some casual matches with an academy in Umuahia. And I recruited him for Warriors. I had opposition then but I insisted. I am glad he has vindicated me.”

How did it all start?

Inyama answered: “I saw him in a village match during Christmas. He was so excellent on the day, but he was so young. To say he was raw is an understatement. I took note of him.

“I wanted to take him right away into Warriors, but I still needed to see how he will fare against the professionals. I set up a friendly between his team and Warriors. He scored against my team.

“I recommended that he should be signed on, but some of the coaches told me ‘you know these kids, when they see big boys now they won’t play. When they see a big pitch and a loud crowd, they will disappear’. But I was adamant he should be enlisted in our team.

“So, there was another match between Warriors and another team and he was to play for us. He scored twice in that game. Right away, I damned everybody who felt he was too young to play for my team. I wanted to sign him that very minute.”

When Chikatara scored a hat-trick against Niger in a CHAN opening group game, he dedicated the goals to his late mother.

Inyama would throw more light on the role the mother in her boy’s career.

With his mind made up to sign-on the boy, there was the big hurdle of convincing his mother.

“You know he is a mummy’s boy. In fact, to show you how small he was then, he never did anything without his mother’s consent,” Inyama continued.

“When I told mama about my plans to recruit him for Warriors, she blatantly refused. She said he was too small to play at that level; that we should give him more time.

“Most importantly, she pointed out that the boy was the only of her children who helped to go inside the bush and harvest her kolanuts. Kolanuts was the family business.

“The mother asked me ‘if you take this boy away now, who will be harvesting my kolanuts?’ I pleaded with her and told her that when the boy flourishes, he will bring more than kolanuts into the family.

“Reluctantly, she agreed, but she shed tears in the process. It was one big emotional moment for me when she gave Chisom her blessings amid tears.”

Inyama further recounted: “So that was the origin of the nickname ‘Kolanut boy’. I gave him that nickname. After visiting his family home and seeing how entrenched the kolanut business was there, I decided to nickname him ‘Kolanut boy’.

“I rarely call him Chisom. I call him Kolanut boy. In doing this, I feel it will help him realise his roots and strive for excellence.

“I am happy he did not disappoint me. Season after season, he has got better. He is a cool-headed boy who is always willing to learn.

“Before the opening game at CHAN, I knew he will shock everybody whenever he is given the chance. I spoke with him and he told me ‘daddy, I am not the first-choice striker. They (the coaches) prefer to play me from the bench, but even if it is a minute of playing time that I get, I will show them what I can do’.”

Inyama dispelled rumours that Chikatara had been snapped up by Kano Pillars.

“During a transfer window, you can hear any type of rumour, but the fact is that Chikatara is an Abia Warriors player,” he said.

“He told me that Pillars offered him N750,000 and a car and I promised him that I will match that offer. He has not put pen on paper for any other team except Warriors.

“As I am talking to you now, I have about 15 offers on the table both from Europe and North Africa. We are analysing the offers and we will see what will be good for him and the club.

“One thing is that his development is so important to me. He calls me ‘daddy’ and I wouldn’t fail him.

“In whatever deals he is going into, I will make sure his interest is well protected. I took him away from home. His mother handed him over to me and I promised her that the boy will bring more than kolanut home.

“This was a boy who had never played football outside Umuahia before I snapped him up. Now the whole world has taken note of him.

“I am not taking credit for discovering him. He has worked with some grassroots coaches. There was one coach Uche who was his coach at the academy, before we signed him on.

“Those people no doubt honed his talent. But I thank God for using me to provide the platform for him to showcase that talent. Perhaps, he would have been languishing in obscurity now.

“Abia Warriors are his only professional club till date. We are proud to play such a part in his life. His exploits will pave the way for other budding players on the streets of Umuahia, Abia and beyond.

“I will also encourage club administrators to look inwards for home-grown talents because ‘wetin dey for Sokoto e dey for shokoto’.”

http://mtnfootball.com/news/606280/How-Kolanut-boy-Chikatara-shot-to-top-of-Africa

This an exclusive interview with Super “S” Chisom Chikatara, an Abia Warriors Super Striker in Glo Premier League. He is a prolific goal scorer being the highest goal scorer in 2013 in the Pro- league that promoted Abia Warriors to the Glo Premier league. The young striker shared some personal information about him and his career so far.

Naijagood: Where are you from?

I’m from Abia State precisely from Ibeku. My Mum is from Nkata Ibeku while by Dad is from Amuzukwu both of them are from Ibeku my family is made up with 8 (eight) having 5 Siblings, 2 (two) girls and 3 (three) Boys.

Naijagood: What is your life like in Abia/Ibeku as a whole?

Well, I was born and bred in Umuahia which basically part of Ibeku. I school there, went to Global International School Bende Road, did by Secondary school days in Government College Umuahia one of the prestigious schools in Abia State.

Naijagood: When did you fall in love with football?

Football is like a religion to me now, I fell in love with ball as we used to call it those days when I was 7 years old, and that was the very year I started playing for a football club called Independent FC. I call these one of the pillars of my career although I was playing in the club just for the love of the game but it did really inspire me to this very day. I believe that year was the very year I fell in love with football and ever since then we ‘ve lovers hahahahahaha.

Naijagood: How is flight into Abia Warriors FC like?

It wan’t easy I must say but its also indeed a nice one to look back and talk about. I started playing at the age of 7 as I said earlier, the club is just a simple and grooming one for children of that age brackets. I moved over to New Generation FC at the age of 12 in 2007, New Generation FC is one of the Best Grass-root Amateur Clubs in Abia State. I became a better player here in this team because the club was where I started playing in major Local Competitions like the Governor’s cup and all that. By mid 2012, I signed a short term loan toBenieAris FC, were I played
a super FOUR Cup Competiton comprising Diamond FC, Benie Aris FC, HeartlandFC and Abia Warriors FC. I was the highest goal scorer in that competition and that was when the real show began. I had several offers by then of which I chose Abia Warriors FC over Heartland FC after several talks without both management. Abia Warriors is a good thing happening to me as a player.

Naijagood: How did your family take it as first?

At first I myself did even take it serious, I was a teenager just playing for the fun of the game I never believed or dreamed that I would be a professional footballer. Just like every family in Abia State wanted their kids to go to university and all that, that was why at first I wasn’t taking it serious and my Dad disagreed with the whole deal. To cut it all short we finally came in terms with it and today am happy I took out my pen and made the deal to be a professional footballer. Am glad for their support and encouragement of which they don’t miss my Home game matches and I do see at least one of my family in my whole matches as a whole. They are reason why am doing what am doing, I love them so much for believing and being part of my life.

Naijagood: How was your first season with Abia Warriors Like?

Wow! I must say it was telepathic and awesome. We played very well and we were promoted to the first division. As for me it was God’s calling being the highest goal scorer that season, Club highest goal scorer, Club Most Valuable Player, Best Youngest Player of the season. That season is the reason of my motivation to do more and break more records that I have never done before.

Naijagood: So do you smoke and drink?

I don’t smoke neither do I drink. That has been part of my family training of which as for me personally is a decision I made to myself long term ago even as a teen. Naijagood: SO what your Season’s target?
That is so huge, my season’s target is to be the highest goal scorer with league goals of 25 + and total of 30 goals and above

Naijagood: Is good having you around and we hope and account on having you around again, so is there any words you want to drop out for your fans out there and for young teens also who do look up to you?

There is no limit to what man can achieve in this world and to that one just has to first believe in oneself before others will have to believe in you. As for my fans I won’t stop delivering goals at the back of the net for you guy and I promise to do more for you guys this season.

Thank you.

http://naijagood.com/biography-of-chisom-chikatara-of-abia-warriors-fc/

Great things really have small beginnings

Someone out there is primed for even greater success.

Whatever your hand findeth doing, do it well.

For tips on how to get flat tummy, check my profile or signature

Now we have Iheanacho, Chikatara,
Osimhen, Awoniyi, Etebo coming up. #
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[size=20pt]FROM KOLANUT TO CHAN FIERCE POAHCHER 4M THEIR 2 TURKEY/CHINA 4M TURKEY BACK TO 9AIJA,WE ALL KNOW THE CYCLE STORY AS IT GOES, just gora know d FRMLR[/size]

so God will also re-write my story also amen

ok

Like they they carried the cup ;DLike they they carried the cup

who's Chikarata?

Na from dustbin God dey lift up person......... so says the holy book.


Congrats Chikatara

Congrat

g

.

Lovexme:
Great things really have small beginnings

Someone out there is primed for even greater success.

I claim that in jesus name. Amen

seankay:
who's Chikarata?

end time names Tired of all this poooh making FP

That's my nigger

Good for the young lad wish him luck in his career...
Baba God make our time do reach...
Patiently waiting...

princeofpeace22:
end time names Tired of all this poooh making FP

Inspirational

So?

okk

great!!!

Congrat chikatara,Pls God re-write my name as well and i will be grateful to you sir.