Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba, is
excited to return to the Nigeria Professional Football League
(NPFL) after a successful career in Israel.

Aiyenugba rejoins his childhood club, Kwara United from Israeli
side Hapoel Afula ahead of the 2020/2021 season which is expected
to start in September/October subject to the Federal Government’s
approval due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an interview with Channels Sports, Aiyenugba says he
is extremely happy with the reception and attention his return is
generating and intends to use the opportunity to develop young
goalkeepers at the club and also bring more followership to the
league.

“I started from Kwara and want to give back to the state. I
think in Nigeria, we have a lot of young goalkeepers and I want to
give back to the fans and add colour to the league.

“I’m so happy coming back home and didn’t expect the kind of
reception I got from fans; the way people received me coming to
Nigeria league, I felt so great,” the goalkeeper stated.

Aiyenugba started his career with Kwara United in 1998 and moved
to Enyimba in 2001 where he recorded more success, winning the
league title four times in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2007.

He was part of the historic squad that won the CAF Champions
League back-to-back in 2003 and 2004, as well as the African Super
Cup in 2004 and 2005. In 2007, he left Nigeria for Israeli side
Bnei Yehuda.

Israeli Football Reflection

After spending nine years with Bnei Yehuda, making 294
appearances, Aiyenugba joined Hapoel Ashkelon where he made 62
appearances in two years.

The former Enyimba goalie also played for Hapoel Iksal in 2018,
and later joined Hapoel Afula in 2019.

Reflecting on his playing career in Israel, Aiyeugba believes
the perception of black players, especially goalkeepers have
changed in recent times.

He said, “Before now, they don’t consider blacks as good
goalkeepers but things are changing now, when I moved to Israel,
you need to be extraordinary good with great talent. When I first
travelled, it was very difficult but I needed to adapt to fit
in.

“Israel is a fun place to play football, people always think
that they are fighting wars, but it doesn’t affect the football
aspect because the security there is very tight; people love
football.”

“You will see a kid, between four to five years old knowing all
the names of players, including the foreign players.

“So, it’s a good place to play football but not for the young
ones to stay long, you can play there for two-three years and move
to Europe,” he stated.

Bringing Quality To Kwara United

Armed with success and experience from the Israeli league,
Aiyenugba is keen to make Kwara United a title-winning team again
and will also want to contribute to the club’s academy known for
producing top stars.

The goalkeeper said, “My second child is already a goalkeeper in
Kwara United academy and he is currently on a scholarship, I’m so
excited to train him, to support him and other kids and make them
great.

“The officials, the management are very ready to bring something
back to Kwara State because it’s been a long time that the state
won a trophy.

“They really want to win something and I want to be part of it
and make the fans come back to the stadium.”

League Matches On TV

The suspension of the NPFL since March due to the COVID-19
outbreak has provided an opportunity for the League Management
Company (LMC), to come up with rules that would ensure the
enforcement of club licencing.

Ayenugba, therefore, advised clubs to use the period to upgrade
facilities and comply fully with all necessary measures before the
start of the season.

He also commended the changes the LMC has brought to the league
but charged them to do more, particularly in televising live
matches and make it more glamorous and secure endorsements for
players.

The goalkeeper said, “They are really trying, league football
has really changed. I just want them to do more advert, more
endorsement for the players because you can ask a kid who is your
best player in the Nigerian league; I don’t think they will give
you an answer.

“So, they need to do more for top players and put the game on
TV, it is very important and I know they can do it.”

“The health and financial aspect is changing and that’s good but
the most important thing is for them to televise the game, put it
on air and people should come out to the stadium, you know it will
be very nice,” he added.

Dele Aiyenugba made 17 appearances for the Super Eagles and his
last outing was in November 2011 in the 2-2 draw against Guinea in
Abuja.

Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2020/08/15/aiyenugba-returns-to-npfl-wants-matches-back-on-tv/