Kwara United’s leading scorer in Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Stephen Alfred believes the team will come out of relegation in the second round, having occupy the bottom of the table.
He also wants to be among the highest goal scorers in the topflight at the end of the season by competing strongly with the top scorer in the league, Junior Lokosa.
The Harmony Warriors’ striker confidently told our Head Sports, Toyin Saheed in this interview that he will remain with Kwara United FC till the end of the season.
Alfred said that his target of getting 25 goals before the end of the season can only be met if he keeps scoring regularly for his club.
How did you start your football career?
I started my football career with FC Taraba Academy and from there proceeded to the main team before I joined Kwara United FC two years ago.
You spent about three years in National League football before Kwara United was promoted to the NPFL, how can you compare the two?
Nigeria National League is difficult because its very physical. It is not like that of Premier League. You enjoy yourself and the game you are playing.
What was your target when your team Kwara United was promoted to the NPFL in 2018 season?
My target was to play well, score more goals, improve my game and help my team to stay in a very positive position in the league, at least first ten or if possible to get a continent ticket at the end of the season.
Having scored eight goals at the first half of the season, did you see yourself competing for highest goal scorer alongside Kano Pillars striker, Junior Lokosa?
Yes of course, I see myself among the highest goal scorer because I have been scoring in most of the matches I played and the way the league is going, the top scorer is still open to any player, I believe I’m still going to score more goals. It is very possible for me to become the top scorer, Lokosa, because he scored all his goals in the first round, which is 19 games so we still have another 19 games in the second round too, I just need to work harder and score more goals for myself in the second phace of the league
Your team is battling with relegation in the NPFL; do you think you can come out of this relegation?
Yes, I have that confidence that we will come out of the position we are now because when you watch our game you can see that we are playing well but it’s just one or two mistakes and I believe we will correct it and get out of that position this time around. I strongly believe that we are going to get out of that position. I just want to urge the fans to continue with their support because the league is still fresh.
With your good performance in the league, most people believe that you will leave in mid-season, are you going to remain in Kwara United till the end of the season?
Leaving or not is my own decision but for now I am still with Kwara United.
I learnt many big clubs in NPFL have been calling you to come over, is that true?
Yes. I am in contact with many clubs. Enyimba, Rivers United, Rangers International of Enugu, Nasarawa United and El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, all have been asking for my signature but I have chosen to stay with Kwara United for now. My wish after leaving Kwara is to travel to any European country and continue my football career.
Which parts of Europe do you want to go?
I will love to play in England because I have been a fan of English football for long.
