Aneke back in the groove

By OJEIKERE AIKHOJE

Jude Aneke and a teammate at Dakhleya

 

Jude Aneke at Warri Wolves (Pix Backpagepix)

 

Jude Aneke expressed excitement after scoring his first goal in a competitive match for his Egyptian side, Al-Dakhleya.

 

“It was a great experience to have scored my first goal in Egypt. I've waited for this goal since my arrival last year.

“I came here to play football and I’m happy the league has resumed,” Aneke told his personal blog, www.judeanake.blogspot.com.

Indeed, Aneke has very reason to be happy.

The Political Science graduate erased the previous goal record in a season in Nigeria’s top flight after scoring 20 goals during the 2010/2011 season and set a Nigerian transfer record when he joined Warri Wolves from Kaduna United in a deal worth N12 million (about $80,000) in 2011/2012.

His transfer to Egyptian side, Al-Masry was well celebrated back in September, but he never had the chance to play football due to the crisis that rocked the Egyptian Premier League.

Ironically, the crisis changed his destination from Port-Said; where Masry is based to Cairo, home of Dakhleya, a team owned by the Ministry of Interior Affairs, in Egypt.

Masry opted to stay out of the league and observe their punishment and subsequently sent their players on loan to other clubs in Egypt.

And that’s how Cairo became his new home.

As a result of the delay a January transfer to Turkey was proposed, but nothing happened.

 

Debut:

Aneke’s arrival in Egypt was well celebrated as a result of his heroics in Nigeria.

Unlike John Utaka and Emmanuel Amuneke who became stars in Egypt, Aneke arrived with funfare as a record goal scorer from Nigeria.

This means a lot is expected from him.

In fact, Egyptian powerhouse, Al-Ahly Nationale missed out because they wanted home on trials. However, Masry signed him considering his records in Nigeria.

“I made my debut against a top side like Zamalek, but spent a short time on the pitch. I got my first start against Ismaily and my first goal.

‘This will is the beginning of more goals to come,” Aneke stated.   

Ambition:

Every striker wants to be goal-king and Aneke is not different.

“I was goal king in Nigeria. Now I want to achieve the same in Egypt,” the forward told judeaneke.blogspot.com.  

According to supersport.com, El Dakhleya head coach, Alla Abd El Aal, is confident that the Nigerian player will help the team this season.

Dahkleya fans hope their new star will make them smile again.