Daily Independent Online.
*
Monday,June 14, 2004.
Leaving Tunisia
was a nightmare
Aiyegbeni speaks on his return to the Super Eagles
By Ejiro
Femi-Babafemi
Reporter, Lagos
His rise to stardom
was meteoric. A brief but exciting spell with Benin based club Okomu Oil and Julius
Berger of Lagos earned him a move to Isreali top club, Maccabi Haifa. While
with them, he set a record by being the first African to score a hattrick in a
UEFA Champions league match. This was against Manchester United two years ago. What made the feat more worthy of
mention was that it was from an unknown African player.
Expectedly top
European clubs who could not but reflect on those spectacular goals were on his
trail. To them he was the perfect example needed to wreck the defender’s
area without any fear. Top on the list were Manchester United, Bayern Munich
and a host of others. But cautious not to be misled by the juicy offers dangled
at him and the prospect of playing for a big club, he preferred to settle for
modest premiership club, Portsmouth on a loan transfer in a bid to prove his
mark. All this transpired two
seasons ago. Also his preference for the Pompey side then in the nationwide
league, was to understudy the rugged and glamorous playing pattern of the
English league before taking a plunge.
And true to his
indefatigable nature, he did not falter or disappoint his teeming supporters
that had great faith in his capabilities. His goals contributed to their
promotion to the premier league. Since then, he has never looked back.
For Yakubu
Aiyegbeni, scoring 19 goals in his first season in the elite league has made
him the toast of Pompey fans. For this reason,he was invited to the national
camp prior to the Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
But when it
mattered most he failed to sparkle against Morrocco in his first game. If that
was not enough, Aiyegbeni was dismissed along with Victor Agali and Celestine
Babayaro from the team’s camp for breaking camp rules. He vowed not to
play for his fatherland in the wake of his humiliating exit and called for the
resignation of notable members of the association.
But recently, the
Portsmouth hitman reconciled his differences with NFA secretary general, Chief
Taiwo Ogunjobi and is now back to the national team preparing for their world
cup qualifier against Angola this weekend in Luanda,
In this interview
granted Daily Independent at his Lagos home last Friday, Aiyegbeni
bared his mind on what happened prior to his exit and his return to the Super
Eagles. He also spoke on his career with the Pompey club.
There were a
lot of stories that emanated from the Super Eagles camp when you were summarily
dismissed for allegations of indiscipline during the Tunisia Africa Cup of
Nations in January. As the victim can you please give us insight?
Several things were
said but l have decided to put behind the past to focus on my future. There was
no iota of truth that we brought in girls to the hotel but l like l said, l do
not want to remember the past since l have made up with the football authorities.
But how did
you feel when the curtains were drawn on you?
I really felt bad
because l looked forward to representing my fatherland at the championship but
when an allegation was leveled against me, it appeared that l was no longer
needed in the team. It was really a bad experience but how it happened is what
l am yet to comprehend.
If you knew
you never did it, why then did you not openly challenge the football
authorities to remove your name from the mud?
As far as l was
concerned at that material time, it was pointless arguing with those in charge.
It was as if all l had laboured for were turning against me. All l did was to
accept my fate and proceed to my club that needed me more than ever. Although
my silence could be misconstrued, but since by my nature l an not known for
joining issues, l resolved to keep my cool.
Back home how
did you family receive the news?
Of course they were
sad and wished it never happened to me. We talked over the matter and l told
them my side of the story claiming my innocence and they advised me to see it as a challenge and not a
setback to my career.
Consequently
in a fit of anger, you vowed never to play for the Country. What made you
change your mind?
As a human being ,you could sometimes be
led by your emotions. At that material time, my mood dictated my actions and if
l said it l think l was justified. But my parents and the encouragement l got
from concerned people made me change my stance. I have forgotten because l want
to serve my country.
Also the NFA secretary
general whom l have known for a long time and the Minister of Sports, Col. Musa
Mohammed called me prevailing on me to bury the hatchet in the interest of
peace which l felt honoured to do.
Did what
happen affect your relationship with Coach Christian Chukwu?
Before now my
relationship with Chukwu has remained intact. When we met early in the month he
told me he had nothing against me and
that I was always welcome to the national team. He is my coach and l am
bound to take orders from him while with the national team and even outside the
team.
You are now
back to the national team but would be absent when Nigeria takes on Angola in
Luanda. How do you see our chances?
Our chances are
very bright. I am happy we won our match against Rwanda despite the fact that
Okocha was absent. It is a good result. Since l would not be playing l can only
wish my colleagues good luck and encourage them to keep the flag flying.
Back to your
club, you are the leading scorer for Portsmouth just in your first season. How
has the feeling been?
Very wonderful to
play for them and as long as lam with them, they should expect my maximum
support. I never expected to get
such reception within this short period but it has happened and if I say that l
am not enjoying every bit of it then l would be lying. I am so grateful to
everybody.
You have been
the target of Middlesborough after your brillant outing against them when you
scored a hat trick before the close of the season. What do you have to say?
In football
anything can happen, but for now my heart is with Portsmouth.
What should
Portsmouth expect from you in the next season?
They should expect
nothing short of the best. No doubt my first outing has set the tone and by
God’s grace l do not intend to decline.
How did you
feel when you failed to win the gift promised you by your coach if you scored
20 goals?
Well l felt bad and
hope that this season he makes the same offer for me to win it.
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