A former Egypt-based midfielder, Innocent Azuonye has sent out a very emotional appeal to football agents and managers to kindly assist him with links towards signing for a club, Sports247 reports.
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Azuonye is back in Nigeria after an ill-fated sojourn that began on a bright note in Egypt but was soon spoilt by what he referred to as bias and discrimination against him by officials of the club.
He recounted in an exclusive chat with Sports247 that the club in Egypt maltreated and frustrated him, then withheld his international transfer certificate when he insisted on leaving.
The Egyptian club’s action made it impossible for him to get a transfer immediately after leaving them, but he is now a free agent after staying several months without a contract and Azuonye is now eager to resume his playing career.
He also confessed that he came close to dumping football and start a business vocation, until some well-wishers advised him to seek a career revival since he is still relatively young and in top form, as seen in his performances while playing grassroots games.
Azuonye disclosed at length, while coming very close to tears, in the exclusive chat with Sports247: “I was playing for a club in Egypt, but they frustrated me.
“I was the only different player among them, and they did not like me. They said I should play out of my position in midfield and go to right-full-back in defence, but I refused.
“I said I would fight for a jersey in attack, midfield or wing play, but they did not agree. That’s why they sent me away. My agent argued with them, and they agreed to let me stay.
“I started playing for them in midfield and as a support striker. That’s how I emerged as their highest goals scorer, and I got an offer in Togo, but they did not want me to go and refused to release me.
“I also refused to play for their team again, and that’s how I left them. I could not get another team because they did not release my transfer certificate. That’s how I returned to Nigeria.
“I could not get a club because they were all asking for my transfer certificate. That’s when I started thinking about going into business. I used to do some business before travelling abroad and I started thinking about starting it again.
“I’ve not been able to start the business the way I used to do it before. So, I started playing in my area and people said I am still good.
“They advised me to try and get another club in Nigeria or abroad. That’s why I am now using this opportunity to tell agents in Nigeria that I’m available for any deal they can get me at home or abroad.
“I am 27 years old now, and I’m a free player. I don’t have any club that I’m playing for now, but I’m training with some teams in my area. I don’t have any injury, and I’m very fit.”
Sports247 recalls that Azuonye made top marks some years back when he featured for the under-15 squad of National Grassroots Dream Team in a competition at Olusosun Primary School, Oregun, Lagos.
He and his colleagues were in sparkling form that saw reach the final of the competition that took place on the same pitch where Galatasaray of Turkey striker, Victor Osimhen started his now astronomical football journey.
