Aneke wants protection

Aneke scored a record 20 goals last season for Kaduna United, but has found the net hard to come by this campaign, managing only five so far.   He told KickOffNigeria.com it was the result of focused savagery from defenders "They do all sorts of things to me both on and off the ball," Aneke said. "And most times they get away with it especially when we are playing away.   "When we played Akwa United, they kicked me with the ball every time. At our game against Heartland, our coach (Maurice Cooreman) was sent off because. He protested after their players were kicking and punching me and the referee was doing nothing about it.   "Against 3SC, they were punching me and kicking me from behind even when I didn't have the ball.   "It happens all the time this season. I don't know whether they are trying to wreck my career. I'm not going to play in Nigeria, I want to play in Europe too, and these defenders are trying to wreck my life."   Aneke is currently nursing groin and ligament injury in Enugu and expects to have a good idea of when he will return by the weekend.   But the forward has appealed to referees for protection. "By this weekend I will know when I can start playing again. But I want to beg the referees to protect me and other strikers.   "I don't mind fair tackles, but when somebody is punching me and kicking me from behind, that is against the rules and the referees have to help us to make the league better.   "When I scored 20 goals last season, it brought a good image for the league. Somebody else can score more, but if this kind of wicked attacks continue, it will be hard."   Despite his troubles, the forward insists he can still catch up with league top scorer. "I think the highest now is nine or ten goals. I have five. I'm sure I can catch up with them."   With the shackles on him, Aneke believes his Wolves teammate can take advantage. "I think the way they are man marking me is a good thing because it means that space will open up somewhere else. Our players should take advantage of the close marking to score goals."