ABRAHAM ALECHENU Returns To Albania

Benue State-born left-wing-back, Abraham Alechenu is once again back in Albania to roost, after failing to hook a contract in Macedonia with top-flight side, FK Vardar, Skpoje.

Although the 26-year-old invitee to the stillborn Nigerian under-14 national team camp at Oshogbo, Osun State in 1999 is reputed as the foreigner to have won the most number of Albanian League titles, with two different clubs, his status was still ridiculed in Macedonia, as Vardar eventually reneged on an initial agreement to seal a one-and-a-half year contract with him.

In what marks the second failed attempt by the petit defender-cum-midfielder to take his trade elsewhere in Europe, Alechenu (spelt Alechenwu in Albania) says he could only play in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers as part of his trials, but a concrete deal could not be sealed at the end of the spell.

In effect, the youngster, who cut his teeth football teeth on the sands of the popular Naval Barracks, Boundary-Ajegunle, Lagos, was left with little choice than head back to the eastern European country, where he had previously played for seven different clubs before his ‘second coming.’

The soft-spoken star played with Vardar in their away match against FC BATE Borisov in the UCL qualifiers, but was released before the season started in Macedonia, and, with the transfer window still open, he returned to Albania where he joined Besa Kavajë.

He disclosed: “I went to Macedonia to play with Vardar for the Champions League qualifiers, but, as soon as we crashed out the coach was removed and the team said they can't pay my salary.

“So, I had to move on without receiving any dine. I had to return back to Albania to secure a club before the transfer closed; which God did for me. I thank God.”

The son of a retired naval officer first lined out in Albania with Gramozi Erseke, before moving on to Apolonia Fier, Elbasani, Dinamo and FK Tirana then returned to star for Vllaznia and Flamurtari Vlorë, after an attempt to get a feel of higher-level European football at Iraklis Thessaloniki of Greece ended in dismay when a nagging injury kept him out for a full season.

Incidentally, during his early days in Albania, starting 2004, Abraham had three unsuccessful trials at KS Besa Kavaje, KS Teuta Durres and KF Elbasani, which then forced him to move to KS Gramozi Erseke, from where he transferred to Apolonia Fier.

Alexander Kanec