Nigerian player Ayagwa goes AWOL to tie the knot in hometown: Aswan club president

Ahmed Abd El Rasoul , Saturday 27 May 2023

Aswan’s Nigerian midfielder Raphael Ayagwa went absent without leave to get married in his hometown, the club's president Elshafie Saleh claimed on Saturday.

 Nigerian player Ayagwa
Nigerian player Ayagwa. Ayagwa Official Account on Twitter

 

The 25-year-old player claimed in an interview with Egyptian TV channel ON Time Sports on Wednesday that he had informed the club management that he wanted to travel home for medical treatment.

The club's president vehemently denied the claim.

“The player’s current contract is running until 2025. He played a full game against Zamalek on 18 May but the following day, the club was informed by the hotel about Ayagwa's sudden departure,” Saleh told ON Time Sports TV channel early on Saturday.

“Ayagwa claimed that he is suffering from an injury and this is totally untrue as evidenced by his participation in the last game before departure,” he added.

The club president further claimed that Ayagwa did not inform the club about his travel plans, despite having booked the ticket on 8 May. 

“Ayagwa is one of the team’s key players and we have fulfilled all his financial obligations through his last game. However, we were taken by surprise when we learned about the wedding that was scheduled for 26 May,” the Aswan president explained. 

“The player requested the club to arrange a return visa for him, and we will fulfill this request. However, he will face disciplinary action for his behavior,” he concluded.

Saleh added that the Aswan club has informed the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and FIFA to protect the club's rights in this matter.

Ayagwa, who joined Aswan on a free transfer from Nigerian club Lobi Stars on 10 October 2022, has made 23 appearances in the Egyptian Premier League thus far.

Aswan currently occupies the 14th position in the league table with 31 points from 29 matches, trailing leaders Ahly by 28 points, with Ahly still having six games in hand.

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