To be out of action for three months could make life quite difficult for a professional footballer but for Nigerian Hull City attacker, Sone Aluko, it is the right time to dig deeper spiritually and get closer to God.
The striker was ruled out for at least three months with a torn Achilles tendon early November.
Aluko, who has declared interest in playing for Nigeria after spells in the England Junior team, went philosophical when sharing his injury moments with Sports & Style.
Reacting to questions on the social media, the younger brother to Eniola Aluko, who plays for the Chelsea female team and England, said God has kept him focused and positive since he cropped the near-fatal injury in the pre-match warm-up ahead.
“You know the injury itself is funny. My boss (Steve Bruce) calls it ‘tragically hard luck.’ We were warming up for the match against Sunderland and l just got this tear out of nowhere and doctor just told me l would be out till January.”
The news, according to the 24 year old who scored a winning screamer in a pulsating 2-3 away match to Newcastle in September, devastated him.
The winning goal was Aluko first premiership goal and gave Hull City their first away win in the season.
He added: “I scored a brilliant goal few weeks to that and Bruce told me l was ready to go then that (injury) happened. It is enough to drive you nut but l will not give in to that kind of frustration and l am really coping well.”
This is not forgetting that Achilles trouble cut short Aluko’s season in January 2012.
So how is he coping well?
“I am a believer and if it had not been for the LORD who was on my side it would have been difficult doing this. I have remained positive day after day and so far it has been god recovery wise! I thank God for giving me a clear head and focused mind.”
Aside from that he said he has indulged himself on the social sites more than before.
“I watch a lot of TV and been catching up with some of those great movies. I tweet a lot too and speaks with my friends now and then. I’ve been watching our games too and that of my big sister, Eniola”.
Eniola, who is two years older than Sone has remained close to his only sibling during his time of trouble.
Sone said she comes visiting when she is not at training or playing for Chelsea. “She has always been there for me. She comes around to see me and we have always been close. She is great and we are good together.”
Sone and Eniola ranks among the few successful football siblings in England. Both have been playing football at the top level, and scoring goals.
Sone recalled that same day he scored against Newcastle, her sister also scored for England against Belarus and they called themselves to congratulate each other. “I had a chat with her on the phone later in the night and said ‘well done’ and told her it was a fantastic goal she’d scored. It is a special day for us.”
Eniola was born in Nigeria, two years before Sone arrived, after their politician father, Daniel Aluko relocated to England.
They were brought up in Birmingham, kicking a ball around together in the family garden before both were signed as youngsters by Birmingham City. Sone did not make the Blues first team but moved first to Aberdeen and then Rangers before signing for Hull at the start of last season, the final four months of which he missed due to an Achilles injury.
After nurturing his entire youth career in England through Aberdeen and the England Junior team, to become one of the most talked about youngsters in the Premiership, why did he shun England Three Lions for Super Eagles of Nigeria?
Aluko answered? “I grew up knowing my sister playing for England and as l progress in my career and knowing how close we are l was tempted to do same. Also knowing that l played for England age-groups against top strikers like Andy Carroll, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott, yet won a place up to Under-19 level. It was a very strong age-group. But the first World Cup I remember was 1998, when Nigeria had Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, (Nwankwo) Kanu and a golden generation that naturally my mum and dad supported. At Under-20 I was called up for both countries and I just felt that international-wise you pick the team you feel is closest to your heart. When you pick a club you’re thinking about what’s best for your career, but I just felt more like a Nigerian player and fan. I also watched Okocha and Kanu in the Premiership and they are magical. I am grateful to England for what l have learnt here but my heart is in Nigeria”
So how has it been playing for Nigeria? He said he was impressed with the Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi, who have him the nod a couple of times to play for Eagles. “The people too are warm and I just love the atmosphere. My game under Coach Stephen Keshi was in June 2012 as a substitute in a 2-0 victory over Rwanda in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier but injury has kept me away since then. If things go my way this season I can still break into the team for Brazil definitely. I hope to return soon and if I maintain my form then I will have a good case for selection.” To keep working hard and hope is all I can do, we are fortunate as Nigerians that we are blessed with top players especially in attacking positions so competition is high,” he added.
Sone is highly optimistic that he would be back soon to full training and full game soon after evaluating his recovery.
“Few weeks ago l was given the clear to walk again unrestricted. I wore a full sets of trainers and started took a few steps of freedom. For 12 minutes l worked freely on the treadmill and coach was happy. I’ve received the okay to go back to light training and in a few days will raise the tempo. I might be back sooner than expected.”
