ADAPTING quickly and making the most of opportunities that come his way has become second nature for Ryan Nyambe.

The Namibia-born right-back’s first memory of moving to Manchester at the age of 10 was the weather, as he encountered snow for the first time ever in his young life.

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Becoming accustomed to a new way of life, and culture, at such a young age has stood the 19-year-old in good stead for his rise through the ranks at Rovers which has seen him become a first team regular in the past four months.

A player visibly growing in confidence with every game he plays, his infectious smile makes it almost impossible not to want him to flourish in the game he has loved from a young age.

From playing on the streets of Katima Mulilo in Namibia to the bright lights of Manchester, it is his love for the game that continues to shine through.

Nyambe made the move to England to join up with his mother, who went in search of a better education, with the time in between seeing him live with his auntie and uncle.

“I was born in Namibia and moved to Manchester at the age of 10,” Nyambe explained.

“It was a really big change. The first time I came here it was snowing. It was the first time I had ever seen snow before.

“My mum came here first and then I followed her here with my uncle who left me here with my mum.

“I’d played football in Namibia, but not for a team, only in school.

“Football was a big sport there, everyone loves football, they all watched the Premier League and loved Manchester United.”

Nyambe quickly joined a junior team in Manchester, and within three years he was earning trials with professional clubs.

He continued: “I joined a local team when I first moved here.

“I was playing with my school as well and two of my friends got scouted for Blackburn and obviously I wanted to get scouted as well. It was just a case of working hard and then eventually I got scouted.

“I was 13 when I first signed. I was at a local team and I got scouted for Burnley but they didn’t take me so I came to Blackburn.

“I worked my way through the age groups.

“We used to train on a Monday and a Thursday afternoon so they put transport for us to come in to training.

“It was a really big surprise, but I was happy and I was really happy with playing my football.”

His stock is unsurprisingly rising in his home country, with plenty of newspaper article references to Nyambe, not least ahead of the FA Cup tie with Manchester United last month.

He has met the president and could quickly become one of his native country’s most prominent sports stars.

Since his first start in the Championship on December 3 against Huddersfield, Nyambe has gone on to feature in 18 of Rovers’ next 23 games, including all seven under Tony Mowbray.

So can he believe how far he has come in such a short space of time?

“To be fair, I’m really surprised,” the 19-year-old said. “At the start of the season I always thought I might play three or four games for the first team, but to have started 16, I’m really surprised.

“I was looking to play three or four games after Christmas so I have ended up playing a lot more than I thought.

“I’m really grateful for every opportunity I have been given and I have taken them. I just thank God that here I am now.

“Every day I go in to training with a big smile on my face and in to a good atmosphere.”

Rovers have been in the bottom three for much of Nyambe’s time in the first team, but he has been trusted with the responsibility at right-back by first Owen Coyle, and now Mowbray.

He admits their support, as well as of that of Gary Bowyer before them, has been invaluable as he continues his development.

But he also credits Jason Lowe with playing a big part in his career so far, adding: “Captain Lowey has been a big help – he talks to me every day, and during games. After training we always do a few extra bits.

“It has been a really hard situation because when you start or go on the pitch you don’t want to make a mistake.

“You don’t want to let the team down because if you do then it only adds to our problems being down at the bottom.

“But you have to put that to the back of your mind and do everything you can.

“I have had to adapt really quickly and I did it in such a short space of time, but now I’m getting used to it. I feel a part of the team and feel really comfortable.”

Nyambe’s first taste of life in the Rovers first team set-up came in April 2015 when, aged 17, he was an unused substitute in the FA Cup sixth round replay defeat to Liverpool at Ewood Park in April 2015. It’s an evening he says gave him extra determination to want to succeed in the blue and white halves.

“It was an amazing feeling and atmosphere,” he said.

“Of course I was nervous, but being there was great, playing against such a great team and with the ground being full I just remember the atmosphere.

“It gave me the confidence and desire to become a first team player.”

A tough baptism followed, giving away a goal on his first start, the League Cup defeat to Shrewsbury Town, before his first taste of Championship football came over a year later, the 3-2 win over Brentford last November.

Since then it’s been an upward curve for Nyambe, particularly since the arrival of Mowbray.

Last week Nyambe visited Blackburn Central High School to join in with their girl’s football session organised by the Rovers Community Trust.

Even in a kickabout in a school sports hall, it was clear to see Nyambe’s love for the game.

He still has a lot to learn, but under the guidance of Mowbray his rate of progress isn’t set to slow any time soon.

He signed off the interview with: “I think I’m getting better at this!”.

Who knows what lies ahead, but whatever does you wouldn’t bet against Nyambe adapting to it.