Ex-Gunner Nwakali reveals Huesca disrespected Nigeria, tried to block him from attending AFCON

Published: April 06, 2022

Former Arsenal midfielder Kelechi Nwakali has shared his side of the story after his contract with SD Huesca was unilaterally terminated by the LaLiga 2 club on Tuesday, April 5.

Nwakali has expressed his displeasure about the way he was treated by Huesca before he parted company with the club, saying he was made to train on his own, was not allowed to use the facilities or receive treatment from the club's physios, was not paid his wages and they tried to bully him into signing a new contract.

On the final day of the January transfer window, SD Huesca attempted to get the former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles captain off their wage bill by offloading him to Burgos CF but the move did not eventually happen.

Nwakali believes his problems with Huesca started after he attended the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in January against the club's wishes.

The ASJ Academy product has insisted that the leadership of the Azulgranas disrespected Nigeria as a country and labelled the Africa Cup of Nations an unimportant tournament.

Nwakali was involved in all the three matches played by the Super Eagles during the group stage of AFCON 2021 but was omitted from the matchday squad in the round of 16 clash against Tunisia after he was diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection.

Writing on Instagram on Wednesday, Nwakali stated : "In December 2021 I experienced the biggest honour of my life after I received a full international call up for my beloved Nigeria.

"But the joy of the moment quickly came crashing down when the club's sporting director Ruben Garcia put extreme pressure on me not to go to AFCON due to it not being an important tournament.

"He told me that if I go to AFCON I will not play for Huesca again.

"This behaviour and the lack of respect shown to my country Nigeria was truly heartbreaking and it was just the latest example of the club attempting to bully me into getting their own way."

Nwakali is departing Huesca, whom he joined from Arsenal in 2019, after making 33 appearances in all competitions.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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