After making his Eagles debut in the game against Malawi in June, Kano Pillars’  towering defensive midfielder, Gabriel Reuben has not looked back in the journey to cementing a starting shirt in the Coach Stephen Keshi new-look Eagles team.

Reuben, was in top form in the game against Rwanda, winning the Most Valuable Award, a feat which he describes as his best moment. Ime Bassey caught up with him recently and he opened up on a lot of issues, including the final Afcon qualifier against Liberia in September. Excerpts:

On first Eagles invitation
My first call-up to the Super Eagles was great for me and I was unable to  hide my joy on and off the pitch. It  is the dream of every footballer to play for his national team and mine was not different. The only thing was that I thought it will take long before getting the node as was felt that you must first play in Europe before you will be considered for the Eagles shirt.

Reuben

For me, it is an honour to play for the national team in this era as a player based in Nigeria. I was surprised when my name was mentioned as the Most Valuable Player in the game against Rwanda in Calabar. I appreciated the contribution of the entire team to my success. It was a great day for me actually.

Relationship between foreign and home-based players in camp
Before leaving for camp, I heard stories of how big players show off but it wasn’t like that when I arrived. There was this good relationship between the foreign players and the home lads. We flowed well as if we knew ourselves before meeting. They showed us love, encouraged us, told us that we can be great players too. We, as home players want to surpass their feat as it is normal in live. They do not scare me.  Our desire is also to go abroad and we are working hard to attain it.

On next month’s crunch Nations Cup qualifier against Liberia
We need to respect Liberia. They are not going to be easily pushed over because football is not mathematics where one plus one iequals to two. We have no choice as players than to give Nigerians the ticket to the 2013 African Nations Cup in South Africa . I know the game will not be an easy one for us bearing in mind that the Lone Stars of Liberia want to qualify too.

Kano Pillars and League title
I have this hope that Pillars will win the Nigerian Premier League at the end of the season. This was our target at the commencement of the season and by the grace of God, it will not elude us. Football is  90 minutes game and that is what will tell when we battle Sunshine Stars in the final match of the season.

My Background
I was born and bred in Kaduna State but I am a native of Plateau State, Jos precisely. I played football on the streets of Kaduna but later found my way into the professional game with Kaduna United in 2006. I spent three seasons with the team, then left for Enyimba in 2009 for one season, returned to the north, this time at Kano Pillars in 2010. It was easy for me in my early days as my parents supported me.

Life off the pitch
My life is quite different from the norm, I rest solely on God. I enjoy relaxing with my friends because I don’t attach too much to the “girl friend thing”

Over view of the 2011/12 NPL season
The season has been very tough compared to last season. There were improvemenst in play, officiating and followership. Personally, the season is good as I am optimistic that I will be crowned league champions for the second time.