Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba returns to the NPFL with hometown club Kwara United

Aiyenugba says he returned to encourage younger players in the NPFL.

More than 10 years after he first left the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) to play abroad, former Super Eagles goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba is back in Nigeria’s top flight with Kwara United.

Aiyenugba who played in Israel all through his career abroad has been without a club since he left Hapoel Afula.

The 36-year-old has now returned to Kwara United where he started his career before he joined Enyimba where he enjoyed much success winning two CAF Champions League titles, four NPFL titles and a domestic cup.

The former Nigeria international said he returned to the NPFL to encourage younger players and also help develop the league.

“I came back to the league because I want to encourage other players to return and also young players in the league,” he told Daily Times.

“For example, in Israel, Benayoun went back to Israel, played for 5 seasons at Maccabi Tel Aviv, Beitar Jerusalem, Beitar Tikva, and Maccabi Haifa before he stopped playing.

“Why we don’t do it in Nigeria kills me. When a player wants to play, they say he’s old and broke, but he needs to feed his family and still has his two legs to play. Will he beg for money from his colleagues to feed his family? It’s so funny.”

The veteran goalkeeper played through the national youth teams before he got 17 caps for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.