Aghahowa threatens to quit

Injury denied Julius Efosa Aghahowa a good run in the just concluded Africa cup of nations in Tunisia, but the player who scored Nigeria’s lone goal at the last world cup is fuming with anger and considering quitting the Super Eagles of Nigeria, over the lackadaisical attitude of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA). He spoke with Nigeriasports.com in Monastir, Tunisia.

Nigeriasports.com: People felt the wrangling between you and the NFA affected your performance in Tunisia 2004?

Aghahowa: They can not know because they are not me. I had injury and it ruled me out of the last three games. Although I felt bad the way I was treated as regards the ticketing and flight to Faro, Portugal for the camping ahead of the championship but that was then and this is now.

Nigeriasports.com: What really happened?

Aghahowa: I hate remembering it but how would you describe an Association that doesn’t feel it is important to know the well being of players and respect them, I did not say the ticket was wrong for me alone, they ruined my other plans and made me look stupid.

I gave them my travelling passport few weeks to the trip only for someone to call me the day I was to travel and ask me to meet up at the airport. I felt bad but my wife urged me to go all the same. I got there only to realise I was on an excursion ticket coupled with two transits. It was sad for me as a player and I felt I had had enough.

Nigeriasports.com: How do you mean you’ve had enough?

Aghahowa: They keep saying am stubborn, but here I am representing Nigeria alive but do you know that for three months I was injured, no one in the NFA bothered to call me to know how I was doing or wish me well. No get well card, it is not too important but my fear is what will happen to the young players watching things like this happen?

Nigeriasports.com: You sound frustrated but this is different from the goal scorer Nigerians know?

Aghahowa: You are my friend and I can not lie to you, I believe I’ve had enough from playing for Nigeria and same people in the NFA.

Without me Nigeria can do well and there are plenty of players that are waiting to be discovered and I only pray they don’t go through the same system I have come to know.

Nigeriasports.com: Are you threatening to quit or what?

Aghahowa: If you were in my shoes what would you do? You are here in Tunisia working but won’t you be worried if your people ignore you and don’t bother to know how you are doing? Terrible I guess? But I am left with choosing between my life and football. I have been taught that no one cares when you are down but all they want is to perform not moved by how well you are.

Nigeriasports.com: How would you describe Nigeria’s performance in the championship?

Aghahowa: I feel bad that I couldn’t be a part of the championship till the end, but I think we did very well in terms of what we had. The bronze is as important as going home alive and in great health.

All the things that happened here will only spur us to better heights and I am highly satisfied with the way young players like Osaze and Enyeama had come true the challenges of the nations cup.