Ten years ago, Gani Ahammed Nigam and Malappuram’s MSP HSS came tantalizingly close to pulling off a major upset in the Subroto Cup international junior football tournament. With Gani scoring a goal late in the first half, MSP led 2-0 and nearly shocked Brazil’s Colegio Estadul Santo Antonio (St. Antony’s School) in the under-17 final. However, the Brazilian side managed to snatch victory with a last-gasp goal that leveled the score 2-2 and forced the match into a tie-breaker.
“The Subroto Cup final was a pivotal moment in my life,” said Gani, the Calicut FC forward, in a recent interview. “I scored seven goals in that tournament, and it made me realize that I wanted to pursue football as a career.”
Now 26 years old, Gani is eager for more such turning points in his life. With three goals in as many matches in the ongoing Super League Kerala (SLK), he is in fine form and believes that continued success here will help him return to the Indian Super League (ISL) soon.
“I feel like I’m getting my goal-scoring touch back,” said Gani, who has played for several ISL teams, primarily as a winger. “If I get a good offer in the ISL’s January transfer window, I will definitely consider it.”
Gani’s football journey began at the age of nine at the Kadathanad Raja FA academy near his home. After five years there, he moved to MSP School, where he honed his skills and developed into a formidable player. Like many players from the Malappuram area, he has also played extensively in sevens football.
“I played my first sevens match with seniors at 17,” explained Gani. “You learn to make quick decisions and improve your decision-making skills because the ground is so small.”
However, Gani expressed concern about the current state of sevens football in the region. “It’s become very rough and violent,” he said. “There’s a lot of kicking, elbowing, and fighting. It’s scary, and you could get injured. I think it’s changed a lot in the last couple of years, but I don’t understand why because fans enjoy good, clean football.”
Despite the challenges, Gani remains optimistic about his future in football. He is determined to continue scoring goals and helping his team achieve success. With his talent and dedication, he is confident that he can reach even greater heights in the years to come.
