After a season at Guangzhou R&F in the Chinese elite division, Nigeria’s Yakubu Aiyegbeni said he’s fully settled and China feels like a home away from home. He shares even more with TAIWO ALIMI.
At 31, and with a playing career spanning three continents, Nigerian striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, believes life is just beginning for him. His transition from the most-watched league in the world, the English Premiership, to the lowly rated Chinese Super League (CSL), he said, will not deter his ambition to enjoy the game of soccer.
Aiyegbeni believes that contrary to opinion that Chinese football is not challenging, especially for a player of his profile that has spent 10 years in England, he is finding Chinese league interesting and challenging.
“At the time l moved to China, top players like Drogba (Didier) and Samuel (Eto’o) had already moved there and it is for no other reason but for the fact that they were making plans to grow and needed to attract players that have made their names all over the world and that is why l made the transfer, granted too that the pay was fantastic.”
Aiyegbeni believes the CSL will help improve his game after playing times in Nigeria, Israel and England.
“l love to explore new grounds, that is the kind of person l am. You can see that the Chinese League is moving toward an international level, which is very good for a player like me. l want to be versatile and after a season here l can tell you that the league is improving with each game. My Chinese teammates have done a good job,” he said. “They train very hard. And most importantly, they have provided me with lots of assistance on the field. I could not have scored so many goals without their hard work.”
And talking about goals, Aiyegbeni has continued to see the inside of the net even in China. He has scored 22 times in 34 games and he adds that his teammates have been wonderful providing him the enable environment to succeed. “Though you can’t compare the Chinese League and English Premier League as they have different styles, however the momentum here is awesome. You must be very fit to play here. Physically, we have strong players here and they are eager to show what they are made of. With players like me around, they have been asking questions and l am happy to contribute my quota to making them play better. It is really good to see that my Chinese teammates are improving. China has a great soccer programme, and within some years l predict that you would be hearing more about China football.”
The Nigerian was one of several big international stars to join the league during its mid-season break, joining former Chelsea star Didier Drogba, who signed with Shanghai Shenhua.
Aiyegbeni made his CSL debut in the Guangzhou derby match between R&F and Evergrande on July 15 at Tianhe Stadium. He scored the winning goal in the 87th minute, ending Guangzhou Evergrande’s unbeaten run of 34 home matches in the league.
Aiyegbeni who is married to the daughter of a successful coach in Nigeria, Kadiri Ikhana, refuted the strong assertion in some quarters that money was the factor behind his transfer to CSL. “l have heard this before and been told that l came to China because of the money. And l will give same answer; money is good and we all want to make it so as to take care of ourselves and family in retirement. But can money buy happiness, no! Money cannot buy you happiness and what I have found from the people in China is love, happiness, sincerity and warmth.”
Aside from all these, the former Julius Berger FC scorer said his family made the China move easier: “I had the utmost support of my wife and kids who told me that l should watch out for these things rather than money. And l am glad that I listened to them. We are here now and they are enjoying the love and warmth of China.”
Aiyegbeni also showed clearer insight on the massive number of Nigerians that have made China home and how they have showed him the way in china.
“It is unbelievable the number of Nigerians that are here in China. They are all over the place doing legal businesses and rearing great families here. Peter Utaka plays for Dalian Aerbin, he moved here before me and we meet constantly and join up with other notable Nigerians here. Before Drogba left for Turkey we often talk over the phone. It makes me feel at home. Guangzhou especially has many people from Nigeria. They are living and working here and often come to the stadium to watch me play. I am just enjoying the moment playing here. I feel very much at home.”
While not foreclosing any deal that would take him out of China, Aiyegbeni says he remains committed to CSL and would do everything to project its great qualities.
