IDOKO TO SUITORS OBOABONA IS NOT CHEAP

Posted by:  on April 23, 2013 in Sports 2 Comments

THE EXECUTIVE Director, Ondo State Sports Development Agency, Mike Idoko has told Arsenal Football Club of England that Super Eagles and Sunshine Stars defender Godfrey Obaobona won’t come to Arsenal for any trials but to go there and sign if the English club wants his services.

The influential football administrator was of the opinion that Oboabona having shone brilliantly for Nigeria at the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that was held in South Africa and also playing regularly for Nigeria, and meeting the 75 per cent requirement needed to play in the English league, proved he should just go to Arsenal to sign and no undergo any trials. ” I have heard that Clubs like Arsenal are inviting him to come for trials, this we will not accept even though I am an Arsenal fan. This is business and we must protect our interest and players. We should not allow these people to treat us with disdain. How can they tell a player who played all the matches of the Nations Cup and has also met the 75 per cent of National team appearance to come for trials. It is not fair and we must try to protect our players”, he disclosed.

Idoko also assured that Oboabona would be allowed to go to Europe to join a good club and that he won’t go cheap since he has proved his mettle both with the national team and the club.

“The player has proved himself as a good and talented star and should be treated such. Imagine if it was a Spanish player that have just won the European Cup, will they ask the player to go and join a club for cheap. No. We must also protect our own players and help them to get good clubs and good pay that they merit. The club that nurtured them must also benefit from the player’s stardom. So, anytime Oboabona wants to go, the club won’t stop him from progressing in his football career. But he must be treated with respect”, the Sunshine Stars boss told SportingLife.