Kivi Zhimomi sign for Northeast United FC for three years
Set to become the first player from Nagaland to play in ISL
Indian Super League (ISL) club NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) has signed in Gokulam Kerala FC (GKFC) striker Kivi Zhimomi for three years, Eastern Mirror can confirm. Thus, he became the first footballer from Nagaland to join Indian Super League (ISL) club. He will be joining the NEUFC team in August this year.
The 22-year-old Nagaland-born debuted in I-League with GKFC in January on loan this year and also caught the attention of the national clubs as he scored two goals in his 11 appearances for the club (starting eleven: 8, substituted: 3,).
NorthEast United FC and GKFC finished at the bottom of the table respectively in the recently concluded leagues. Northeast United FC is owned by John Abraham and based in Guwahati, Assam.
Eastern Mirror in a recent interview with Zhimomi revealed that he has received offers to play I League and ISL next season. He, however, choose NEUFC saying that he wanted to fill the gap between the other states of Northeast and Nagaland to represent Nagaland for the club as NEUFC was the apex football club from Northeast.
Kivi Zhimomi said “the first place, I thanked the Almighty God, for this achievement is the result of my trust in Him. I am overjoyed to be the first Naga football player to sign in Indian Super League. I also feel proud for making my state the first entry into ISL history. In fact, it has been my motive since the inception of ISL. I was in a dilemma before I signed for NEUFC as I have been receiving offers from other renowned clubs and finally I chose Northeast United FC.
“Eight states represent North East India and NEUFC being the apex football club for northeast has no single Naga player. You know, one can find at least a player from each state but sadly until now not even a single player from Nagaland. Then I have decided to sign for NEUFC to fill the gap between the other states of northeast and Nagaland. I also want to establish myself as one of the finest players in the future through NEUFC” said Zhimomi.
Roko Angami president Nagaland Football Coaches Association & AFC ‘B’ Licensee and the first footballer from Nagaland to play in the national league shared his views “I am really very proud to say that our Naga footballer are coming up, to play outside and becoming a professional player, those days our Naga football player never have passion to play outside.
“But I am happy to say that some of our players are coming up, and more players are expecting in the near future, my advice to our boys is passion, hardworking, discipline is a must for the sportsman, be God-fearing and make our state proud,” said Angami.
N. William Koso assistant coach Aizawl FC and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ‘A’ Licensed Coach said “It is a lifetime opportunity for him (Zhimomi), getting a big break like this one, hope he can maintain himself. It will also boost the morale of other upcoming players; finally, we are on the football map. Kivi is a hardworking and dedicated player, he has a passion and right attitude, and he was with me at Kohima Komets for two seasons.I wish him all the best”.
It may be mentioned Zhimomi was born and brought up in Dimapur and is the youngest of six children. He started his football career in 2010 from the State Sports Academy in Dimapur. He has also played for Mohammedan Sporting Club at Kolkata and Rangdajied United FC at Shillong.
