Exclusive Interview With DANIEL CHIMA On Champions League Debut

Norwegian club Molde began their quest to qualify for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League with a 3-0 hammering of Latvian champions Ventspils.

With 16 minutes of normal time left, coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær introduced the 21-year-old Nigerian attacker Daniel Chima on the pitch.

One of the dreams of every professional footballer is to play in the world's most glamorous club competition. When Chima stepped out of the tunnel on Wednesday, the former Lyn Oslo ace was a happy lad, grinning from ear to ear.

''It was a great feeling, going from hearing the Champions League anthem on television and radio, and being on the field of play. Without doubt the game against Ventspils is the most important of my football career so far. And it shows the beginning of a brighter future,'' says Chima to allnigeriasoccer.com.

Chima is certain of Molde's progress to the next stage of the qualifiers. The Latvian team will need to put four goals past Espen Pettersen in the reverse fixture next Tuesday at the Olympic Stadium Ventspils, and pray they don't concede at their own end.

''Molde have good team spirit at the moment. This is reflected in our league position where we are placed second.With our three-goal cushion, I think we are already through to the next round of qualifiers. The secret of doing well in this competition is to keep a clean sheet at home. All we need now is at least an away draw. Of course, I know Molde are capable of getting the desired result away,'' adds Chima.

On his relationship with teammate Emmanuel Ekpo, who missed the game at the Aker Stadium due to injury, Daniel Chima said: ''I have helped him settle in Norway and at the club. Emmanuel did not feel like a stranger when he arrived MFK because I was there to guide him through the things he had to know about the team and the environment as well. Him being here also helped me too, I find it easier to interact with him in Nigerian style of speaking English. When we are not preparing for a match, we go to town sightseeing. But a greater part of our free time is spent playing EA Sports Fifa 2012 game with our Ivorian teammate Davy N'Guessan.''

Daniel Chima, under contract with Molde until December 31, 2013, has bagged 6 goals in his last 25 appearances in the Norwegian championship. He is another exciting prospect from the stable of  Norwegian - Nigerian agent Atta Aneke.