Abeokuta, Nigeria – For Sunday wey pass, na the MKO Abiola Sports Arena for Abeokuta wey we see how Leonard Ngenge shine like star as im score goal wey start the CAF Champions League campaign. Dis young defender, wey don carry heavy load from CHAN wahala, use dis opportunity flex hin muscles.
Im first goal for the 12th minute no be just to open account o, na e set the stage for serious 4–0 beatdown wey Remo Stars give US Zilimadjou. This goal na like redemption song for Ngenge, wey don turn disappointment into sweet music for hin career.
When Zilimadjou no fit clear ball wey land for dem side, Ngenge pounce like lion. One touch, one strike, and just like dat, early shivers turn to solid confidence. “I’m really excited; first game, first goal, debut, you know, it’s exciting,” Ngenge talk after dem match. Na him wahala for CHAN make dis moment sweet pass palm wine for party.
Ngenge don seen better days and bad days. For CHAN, no be say hin dey play make sense. Wetin suppose be glory turn to sleepless nights and self-doubt. But instead of pack hin bag, he choose to learn about resilience. “About the CHAN, though, I had a lot of sleepless nights, trust me. I was devastated,” he lamented. Na the experience turn am to stronger player.
For dis debut, na im own na skill show. Na not so Ngenge quick for ball, im dey read the game like him be top Nigerian novelist wey sabi plot twists. “Yea, the best way to prove myself is to not disappoint,” hin sabi say as he come step into Junior Nduka shoes well-ahead of time. After all, na Nduka na the heartbeat wey everybody dey miss, but for dis match, Ngenge show say na im time to shine.
Debut goals for CAF competitions no dey grow on tree, but Ngenge show say he fit switch story just like dat. “I just do what I’m supposed to do, it’s not like I’ve done anything extra,” Ngenge explain, looking so cool vibes. Na hard work and focus wey put him for this level no be luck.
As him finish match, Ngenge don change hin mentality. “I don’t really care about what people say anymore,” he drop wisdom wey fit make anybody sit down think. Na before, criticism dey weigh am down, now na like shield wey dey protect am. Remo Stars dey prove say dem go fit develop talents wey ready carry Nigerian football for where e suppose dey.
The celebrations fit fade, but dem no go fit take e from Ngenge. E don ready for the next chapter, dey look forward to grind through the away trips and all the wahala wey dey come. “It’s just one game to be honest,” he talk. Legacies no dey built o just by one goal, but sometimes na that single strike fit change story and set the ball rolling for better things.
From the darkness wey dey follow CHAN nights wey no fit let am sleep, to the shining light under Abeokuta floodlights, Ngenge don show say setbacks fit shape champions. As long as dem dey ready rise, na so dem go continue to shine.
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