Jendol Superstores captain John Chibuike has credited teamwork, determination and strong leadership for his impressive start to the Island All-Stars Sports Club PatrickLingo Super League Football Tournament, insisting that collective success remains more important than individual goalscoring achievements.
Speaking exclusively to Sports247 following Jendol Superstores’ thrilling 3-1 comeback victory over Wellborn Hotels in Matchweek 3 at Lagos Business School, Chibuike expressed delight after scoring twice to inspire his team to their first victory of the competition.
The captain’s brace took his tally to three goals in two matches, placing him at the top of the tournament’s goalscoring chart.
‘Teamwork Matters More Than Individual Goals’
Despite his impressive individual statistics, Chibuike was quick to acknowledge the contributions of his teammates.
“It is not just about scoring goals; teamwork is what matters most. My teammates have been very supportive, and we have worked together to achieve our objectives,” he told Sports247.
“I am happy to have scored two goals today, and I give all the glory to God and credit to my teammates for their contributions.”
The forward had scored once during Jendol Superstores’ opening 1-1 draw against Daily Manna Bakery before adding two more goals against Wellborn Hotels. His consistency has helped Jendol Superstores remain unbeaten with four points from their opening two fixtures.
During the encounter, Chibuike was involved in a visible disagreement with one of his teammates, raising questions about what had happened.
However, the captain dismissed suggestions of any serious issue, explaining that emotions occasionally run high during competitive matches.
“As the captain, I have a responsibility to guide the players and provide leadership on the pitch. It was not a major issue, and we have already resolved it,” he explained.
“Sometimes, emotions and frustration can get the better of players during a game, and that is part of football.”
‘I Told My Teammates We Could Still Win’
Jendol Superstores endured a difficult start when Wellborn Hotels captain Ezenwaka opened the scoring in the ninth minute.
However, Chibuike revealed that he immediately encouraged his teammates to remain composed and believe in their ability to turn the match around.
“I encouraged my teammates and reminded them that we could still win despite conceding the first goal,” he said.
“As the leader of the team, it was my responsibility to keep everyone motivated and ensure that we remained focused on the game.”
The captain subsequently delivered the response on the pitch, scoring in the 30th and 48th minutes before an own goal from Moloks completed Jendol Superstores’ 3-1 victory.
Following his outstanding performance, Chibuike received the Man of the Match award, further underlining his influence on the encounter.
With three goals already to his name, the Jendol Superstores captain is determined to maintain his position at the top of the scoring chart.
“It feels great to be the leading scorer, and I hope to maintain that position until the end of the tournament,” he declared.
“I am working hard towards that goal, and I also wish my fellow strikers the best of luck in their remaining matches.”
For John Chibuike, the ambition is clear: continue scoring, lead Jendol Superstores to more victories and remain in contention for the tournament’s Golden Boot award.
