Friday, 18 September 2009

Aberdeen Declare Aluko AWOL


By Ifeanyi Ibeh

Nigerian forward, Sone Aluko, has left his Scottish club side and rejoined the Flying Eagles after saying that he is strong enough to take part in the upcoming FIFA Under-20 World Cup taking place in Egypt.

The Aberdeen of Scotland player has been in the spotlight lately after returning to his Scottish Premier League side with an Achilles problem he reportedly picked up while training with the Nigerian U-20 side in Spain.

The situation was said to have infuriated his coach at Aberdeen, Mark McGhee, who threatened to pull the 20-year-old winger out of the junior World Cup, which is scheduled to take place from September 24 to October 16, especially after Aluko failed to convince him of his fitness in Monday’s league game against Falkirk.

Absent without leave

But a report on Aberdeen’s website revealed that Aluko, who previously played for English Premier League side, Birmingham, has gone ahead to rejoin the Flying Eagles without the consent of his club.

Reacting to the development, Mr. McGhee said he wants the Nigeria Football Federation to send Aluko back to the club’s base in Pittodrie so he can be examined by the club’s medical crew.

“In fairness, there may have been a bit of a misunderstanding,” Mr. McGhee said. “We’re in contact with the Nigerian FA and (we) are insisting that Sone returns to Pittodrie to be fully assessed by our medical staff before we decide whether we will give him permission to take part in the tournament.”

Spokesperson of the football federation, Ademola Olajire, informed NEXTSports on Wednesday afternoon that the Scottish club is not in touch with the Nigerian FA.

“There has not been any contact between us and them,” Olajire said. “I have been reading articles on the internet stating that they have been in contact with us but that is not true.

“The young man wants to go to the junior World Cup and they refused. Even if the boy hasn’t gone AWOL, I believe there are still other players capable of making the team but he wants to go and he has taken the matter into his own hands.”

A strong desire

In a telephone interview with NEXTSports, Aluko said his club has not taken his desire to represent Nigeria into consideration. The player, who declined to disclose his location, said he feels his purported injury has been blown out of proportion by the press and that he is capable of playing at the junior World Cup with the Flying Eagles.

“The situation is not as bad as has been reported,” he said. “I feel good and am ready to join the team. “I want to play at the World Cup and I just want my wish to be respected.”

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