Date: 2021-02-22

One of the youngest players in Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, Maurice John, has said he ran to celebrate his first league goal for the club with his coach, Anthony Encho on Saturday because of his impact on him since joining the team.

John broke the deadlock for ABS on Saturday with a powerful header in the 26th minute of the match after meeting Noah Ogidi’s cross from the right flank.

The youngster while speaking with the newsmen on Sunday in Ilorin was full of praises for his Coach (Encho), after the game, saying he has been playing the role of a coach and father since he arrived in Ilorin.

"The coach has really helped me settle here, he will always call me after training and explain my mistakes to me.

"Encho has been very supportive to me in all ramifications and I thank him for that.

"I was scared to leave my parents, but my coach has helped me to deal with that in a very short time.

"I can't forget my teammates too, they have been very supportive and they have also helped me to settle down here quickly," John said.

He said he is looking forward to scoring many goals for the club and expressed the belief that greater things are ahead for the club this season.

"It is painful that I scored my first league goal for the club without our fans at the stadium.

"Many of them have seen me play during our preseason days and they will always come to me to advise me to keep going.

"I would have loved to have them at the pitch yesterday but we will continue to play for them," John said. John joined ABS from Horvel Prime Academy, Abuja on a permanent basis.