It was a remarkable start to life in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for Samuel Amadi who claimed a part of the new season’s stats with the first goal of the 2019/2020 season which kicked-off on Sunday, November 3.

But despite the weight of his achievement, Amadi would ascribe it to being lucky to have been in the right place at the right time and was quick to lay down that his utmost desire – which is his first in the topflight – is to become the top scorer.

“I will just keep pushing harder to score more. I want to be the highest goal scorer by luck or by grace,” declared the product of Port Harcourt-based A&B Football Academy.

He signed his first professional contract with Warri Wolves in 2017, while the club was in the Nigeria National League (NNL), and contributed to their return to the NPFL. This is his third season with the Seasiders.

On the opening day of the new season, Amadi refused to be overwhelmed by the occasion when he dispatched a left-footed shot from close range to give his side the lead inside two minutes. And if not for Adewale Adeyinka’s fingertip save, he could have been celebrating a brace about a minute later.

Although it was Mfon Udoh’s equalizer that doused the excitement that came with Amadi’s quick-fire goal, the latter confessed his admiration for the former in a chat with www.npfl.ng shortly after the encounter.

“Mfon Udoh is a very good striker. I’mlooking up to him,” Amadi disclosed. Only last season, Udoh was joint top scorer in the NPFL, and since 2014 he has been the league’s record goal scorer.

Since joining Warri Wolves, Amadi, who is from Rivers State, has been a consistent performer. He is now looking to own the NPFL stage and help his team to a continental ticket.

“With teamwork, prayers and hard work, I’m sure we will get there,” he said. Speaking about their performance against a star-studded Akwa United side, he added: “It was okay. At least we tried, but I think my team will pick up with time, although Akwa United are a very good side.”

In the game, Amadi, who also had set piece responsibilities, twisted his ankle when he slipped while trying to take a corner kick in the second half, and had to be replaced on the 72nd minute. But he had already done enough to attract plaudits.

“Amadi is just a young boy coming up and as far as modern football is concerned he has a future,” Warri Wolves coach, Evans Ogenyi told www.npfl.ng.

The former Lobi Stars Manager does not regret giving Amadi a place in his starting line-up, even though the latter only just returned from the national U-23 camp.

“A young boy that is just coming from the national team there is no way I would take him out of the team. He came two days to my match and because I know he is coming from a high level training too, I had to include him. And it’s better he started. He started and he proved a point, scored a goal in the first two minutes,” Ogenyi boasted.

Amadi, who believes one “needs more wisdom” to succeed in the NPFL, is hoping to get completely fit in time to be available for selection when Warri Wolves travel to Akure to face Sunshine Stars in their next game.

By Chibuogwu  Nnadiegbulam

  LMC