Despite the inconveniences associated with playing football in the middle east, a former Enugu Rangers star Godwin Aguda is glad he has quit the local Nigerian league.
Women are not permitted to go to the stadium to watch football games, and the official language of communication, Arabic, is a challenge for a Nigerian. Still, Super Eagles hopeful, Aguda, is enjoying his sojourn in Saudi Arabia.
After spending a few years in the Nigeria Professional Football League, Aguda eventually secured a transfer to play abroad.
It was not exactly a dream move for one of the local league’s most exciting talents as the deal saw the 22-year-old attacker sign for lowly Saudi Arabian side, Al Washm. The club presently plays its league football in the country’s second division.
The transfer was a far cry from what was expected from an enterprising forward who played a crucial role in Enugu Rangers’ league title win in 2016.
Aguda, though, is confident that he has made a smart career move. He admits that playing in Saudi Arabia has not been without its challenges, especially with the language barrier, and the ban on women watching football.
But the 2018 Nigeria Federation Cup winner with Rangers would still not swap the lower rungs of the SPL with the NPFL.
“I’ll rather stay in this lower division in Saudi Arabia than to return to the NPFL because the welfare is better, and they respect us as players,” Aguda told Brila in a chat.
“I was given a furnished apartment, a car, a bonus on goals scored; also my current salary is double what I received at Enugu Rangers.”
Aguda has settled quickly in the Saudi Arabia second division, having scored three goals and two assists in 11 games for Al Washm.