HOME > NEWS > ABRAHAM ALECHENU JOINS IRAKLIS THESSALONIKI

Abraham Alechenu joins Iraklis Thessaloniki

Alechenu excited about Greece move

Posted: 2010-07-22 12:05

Nigeria defender Abraham Alechenu says he is excited about the prospect of playing in the Greek top-flight following his move to Iraklis Thessaloniki.

The 24-year-old signed a one-year deal with an option for an additional year with the club from Albanian side Tirana this week.

Alechenu, who had been a success for Tirana on and off the pitch, admits he cannot wait for the new season to start in Greece.

"I feel this is a chance to play myself to the big time," Alechenu tells KickOffNigeria.com. "People expect so much from me and I want to do the talking on the pitch.

"I am so grateful for the support of Tirana. I love the club and I leave with their blessings. Now the challenge is to prove myself here amid all the hurdles."

The youngster's switch has boosted the growing presence of Nigerian players in Greece following the arrivals of Yakubu Alfa and Adefemi Olubayo at Xanthi. But the prospect of playing in one of Europe's financially troubled leagues has not swayed the left-back from his objectives.

"This is an opportunity to prove I can make a success out of my time here. I want to repay the club back with my performance," said Alechenu.

"I am so grateful just to be considered. I love the challenge they pose and I did not think twice once they came into the picture. I came here for purely football reason and wouldn't want to distract myself about what happens off it."

Iraklis, who are in a financial mess, are widely tipped to be relegated from the Greek Super League at the end of the new season.

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Eric: 2010-07-22 13:16

I like the new face of Nigerian football. It is no longer business as usual. Now, all these boys plying there trades in both big and small leagues in europe will have to prove why they are better than the boys playing under the bridge in Oshodi. Don't think that you have an automatic shirt; just do your best and up your game. Earn your call to the national team deservedly and the sky will be your limit.

moserity: 2010-07-22 13:53

Who is this guy? I have not heard of Abraham Alechenu before. How I wish Kickoff would show his picture or this is another cut and paste story by Colin Udoh.

Ugonna: 2010-07-22 16:55

Cliins Udoh, which do you think is better about an unknown player; to paste his picture here or to paste flag.

For Gods sake, We dont know this guy, neither have we ever hard of that club before

Hopewell: 2010-07-22 17:19

Hi Colin. Does it mean you can't browse this guy's photo on google and paste for those who don't know him? Hmm...Display of incompetence, and you have the effrontery to abuse Nigerian players who are not doing well in Europe. Alechenu is a good player. He is not fortunate to play in the big leagues. In my opinion, Taye Taiwo is not better than this guy. He is not a one legged player like Taye and he seem to be well collected in his play. No grudges against Taiwo but just an opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Q8o0DaKYM

coache: 2010-07-22 23:42

The boy is good oooooooooo. Very confident on the ball and I am proud to be a Nigerian for such a gifted left back. Far better than Echiejile

Ugonna: 2010-07-23 00:11

OH MY GOD! This guy is DA BOMB! This guy is even better than Patrice Evra. Evra is some times called Evra Bus stop but i think this guy is a HIGH WAY bus stop. Nigeria should be quick about inviting him to the National team. come! i hope he is in that 35 man list of players invited for friendlies with South Korea

GOD see what we have been missing all this while

Ugonna: 2010-07-23 00:16

@Hopewell
Thanks a thousand times for that link, you did a thousand grest job than our "copy and paste" Colins Udoh. He gave us flag to look at but you gave us Abraham Alachenu to watch

Segun: 2010-07-23 05:38

Lagerback dumps Nigeria
…Siasia is Eagles’ new coach
By Richard Jideaka, Abuja
Friday, July 23, 2010
Siasia
Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section


Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Lars Edvin Lagerback, has turned down an offer by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for a fresh contract to continue with the job for a four-year deal.

Lagerback’s five months contract as Super Eagles’ coach expires at the end of this month and the NFF and the PTF who picked his bill were impressed with his performance at the World Cup and were ready to offer him a four-year deal to rebuild the Eagles but the Sweden’s former manager, who returned to his native land after the shameful exit of the Eagles, said he was not interested.

Acting President of the NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, told Daily Sunsport that Lagerback after several attempts to speak with him finally called to inform him that he was sorry to reject the offer. “Lagerback has told me that he could not continue as the coach of Super Eagles because he feared that he might not be able to sign a four-year deal that would keep him in Nigeria for that long. He thanked the NFF for the opportunity given him to take the Eagles to the World Cup.

“He said that the experience was worth it and that he would always remember Nigeria and her good people. He also said that family opinion also made him turn down the job and wished Eagles well”, Alhaji Maigari said.

The NFF boss stated further that Lagerback also regretted his inability to come down to Nigeria to say a final goodbye and that he would send his technical report to the secretariat through the internet next week
Alhaji Maigari also disclosed that following the exit of Lagerback that the NFF board has decided to offer Samson Siasia the job to tinker the Super Eagles for the next four years as chief coach.

“We have had talks with Siasia and I must tell you that it was fruitful and all things being equal, he would put pen on paper next month subject to negotiation. Siasia is the coach Nigerians want and we shall give him all the support to succeed in this new job” Maigari stressed.

The finance committee’s former chairman of the NFF said that Eguavoen Austin would lead the Eagles to South Korea for the friendly after which he would take charge of the Under-23 squad, while Siasia would be in charge of the Eagles in the Nations Cup qualifying match against Madagascar in september.