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Gift Monday: Nigeria striker reveals dreams ahead of professional debut for UDG Tenerife
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria forward, Gift Monday is ready and raring to help her Granadilla Tenerife to greater heights in the Spanish Liga F division this season.
The 2019 African Games gold winner joined the Spanish side on a three year deal after an illustrious career in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership with Robo Queens.
The Akwa Ibom-born star, who secured her first professional move in September, finally teamed up with her teammates in November and is looking forward to hit the ground running on the Cannery Islands.
“The atmosphere right here is good. Everything here is welcoming. The players and officials have given me all the needed support for me to perform.” Gift exclusively told Nigeriafootball.ng.
Granadilla Tenerife occupy the tenth position on the Spanish Liga F log with 12 points after 10 games.
The twice NWFL Premiership topscorer shares her lofty dreams with struggling Cristian Toro’s side ahead of her debut.
“My personal ambition is to help the team move up to the top of the table. I think it’s possible if we do more than what the team is presently doing,” the 2022 CAF Youth Player of the Year nominee revealed.
“Nothing much for a starter than to get to the field and do my thing. Try to help my team and give my best.”
The 2021/2022 NWFL Premiership’s most valuable player who will don jersey no 24, is expected to make her first appearance for Granadilla Tenerife on Sunday.
Facing up Nigeria’s Rita Chikwelu and Onome Ebi at Las Planas, the young sensation, who turned 21 on Friday, is anxious to reunite with her fellow compatriots, while aiming to make a lasting impression on her first outing.
“It’s something that I will have to get that feeling when I play my first match against them in my first game,” she continued.
“We all look forward to a great season. For everyone back home, I love them and feel their support. I am going to do my best to make them proud.
“My national and club teammates are just happy for me that finally I am out of the country and going to start a new life abroad.
“They advised me to keep doing what I have been doing and if possible add to what I have been doing. It has been positive comments from the senior players.”
Gift was instrumental in helping Bayelsa Queens clinch the league title last season while on loan with the Yenegoa-based side.
The 21-year-old scored nine goals in five games for the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League bronze-winning side during the 2022 NWFL Premiership Super Six which claimed the league title.
After guiding Robo Queens to a first national domestic title at 2022 Betsy Obaseki Cup, the former City of David (COD) player will hope to replicate a similar feat in Spain.
