Belgian club Anderlecht have replied Super Eagles forward Henry Onyekuru’s accusations that they purposely refused him playing time despite the player’s readiness and fitness.
Onyekuru told Belgian online news outlet,
m.hnl.be:
“I was fit, but I did not play, so I will not stay with Anderlecht. The manager (Vanhaezabrouck) has not spoken to me for weeks... I know what he told the media about me. I heard from the media that I was not ready. You do not treat a player like that especially after working so hard in those months to return to action.”
The players absence from the field did not give him enough chances to prove to Super Eagles coach,
Gernot Rohr, that he would make a great addition to Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup squad, hence his omission from the list.
In replying the accusations made by the Nigerian star, the club spokesman told the media that neither the club or its management is responsible for Onyekuru’s current woes, instead the blame should fall on the fact that the player picked up a critical injury at his peak moment in a league game against Eupen last December.
Due to the severity of the knee injury, all hopes of the Nigerian making a comeback before the end of the season was lost.
return to training
However Onyekuru returned to training with the club towards the end of the campaign and made only a few appearances for the Anderlecht reserves to show that he is in form and ready to play fully, but Anderlecht coach, Hein Vanhaezabrouck did not judge the player fit enough to feature in the big leagues.
The club’s spokesman told
Liverpoolecho:
“Henry is a great player and his injury in December weakened the squad and reduced the chances to participate to the World Cup with his country… RSC Anderlecht, nor the technical staff never made any promise to Henry concerning his selection. RSCA is a professional club and it wouldn’t be very professional to make promises to players, The coach selects the best and fittest players for the games.”
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This article was first published on 1st June 2018
achem
Achem Samuel is a writer and a musician, he is passionate about God and also an ardent fan of tech, sports and music.
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