Anxious about Abubakar

(Baonghean) - As one of the two foreign players for Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) this season, Abubakar has left a lackluster impression with his clumsy ball handling. Ironically, however, with this striker on the field, SLNA often seems to be very lucky. In the early stages of the 2015 season, Abubakar scored several decisive goals, contributing significantly to the victories of Ngo Quang Truong's team.

On the Vinh stadium pitch in the 7th round, as usual, Abubakar was in the starting lineup alongside Ho Tuan Tai. Not being a technically gifted player, this foreign player often lost possession and received boos from the stands. However, when many people pressured Ngo Quang Truong to be substituted, Abubakar created a turning point for himself and his team.

Abubakar celebrates his goal with his teammates. (Image: Internet)

A seemingly harmless attacking situation arose from the home team, but Van Bien made a mistake, and Abubakar seized the opportunity, firing the ball into the top corner of goalkeeper Duong Hong Son's net. Having been pressured by the visitors from the start, this goal for SLNA was incredibly significant. From then on, Ngo Quang Truong's young players gained more confidence and were able to control the game as they wished. Similarly, Abubakar was no longer booed by the fans, and throughout the match, he both attacked and contributed to the defense, playing a crucial role in SLNA's victory against their arch-rivals HN.T&T.

Despite not making a significant impact and even receiving criticism in every match, Abubakar's goal-scoring performance is not bad. Prior to the match against QNK.Quang Nam, this striker was the top scorer for SLNA with 4 goals. Abubakar's goal-scoring frequency is even on par with the top foreign players currently playing in the V.League this season.

Many SLNA players said: Training and playing with Abubakar can sometimes be frustrating. The reason is that this foreign player's technical skills aren't very good, with many situations where his handling is too rough, leaving them disappointed. But in return, Abubakar is very enthusiastic. In daily life and training, this striker shows great professionalism. It is because of these qualities that Abubakar is loved by everyone, and his weaknesses in technical skills are sometimes no longer a barrier.

With enthusiasm and a high level of desire to compete, Abubakar also sacrificed many personal interests for SLNA. It is known that this striker was one of the first players to try out at Vinh Stadium in the 2015 season. After several months of trials, due to not meeting professional requirements, the Nghe An team announced his dismissal so that Abubakar could find another team. Upon receiving this notice, the foreign player went straight to General Director Nguyen Hong Thanh's office to express his desire to stay. Accordingly, Abubakar agreed to play for SLNA without a signing bonus, with his monthly salary determined by the Nghe An team. Seeing Abubakar's affection and desire to stay, the SLNA leadership agreed and signed a "contract" with him for the first two V.League matches, after which, depending on the circumstances, both sides would discuss whether or not to continue the partnership.

In his first match against Hai Phong, Abubakar was a major disappointment, and SLNA lost to the visiting team at home. Although the striker scored in the next match, helping SLNA secure 3 points against SHB Da Nang, the Nghe An team still intended to terminate his contract. Fearing he would have to leave the team, immediately after the match at Chi Lang Stadium, Abubakar took a night bus back to be able to meet with SLNA's leadership the next morning.

Accordingly, knowing that SLNA wanted to terminate his contract, Abubakar persuaded them by promising to work harder and only accepting a salary equal to that of the team's domestic players. With a humble attitude, Abubakar convinced the SLNA leadership, and subsequently, both sides signed a contract extension until the end of the first half of the season. According to this contract, Abubakar not only received no signing bonus but also a monthly salary of only 18 million VND, less than many other top-tier players at SLNA.

The Nghe An team considered the economic aspects when partnering with Abubakar, and although they were apprehensive about the striker's performance, there are interesting stories behind it, as he sacrificed a great deal for SLNA. Furthermore, having Abubakar is a stroke of luck, and not everyone can bring about that.

Vinh Liem