BBC SPORT | AFRICA | Life left in Adepoju

There have been many more auspicious debuts made for new clubs but Mutiu Adepoju did not mind that he only got nine minutes and a few touches for Spanish second division club Salamanca in their 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

"It's just good to be back playing in Spain again. Hopefully in the coming weeks I'll be starting games once more," said the Nigerian international midfielder.

After a year-long exile playing for the Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad, Mutiu - he is usually known by his first name in Spain - is back in the country where he made his name.

He has spent the majority of his professional career there since he left Lagos-based Julius Berger in the summer of 1989 to join the reserve outfit of Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Adepoju was in the losing Nigerian team at the last Nations Cup
"I like Spain and think of it as my second home and I just want to show that I can do myself justice.

"I had injury problems during my last two years at Real Sociedad and so I want to show a lot of people that there is still some life left in Mutiu Adepoju," added the 30 year-old Ibadan-born player.

Adepoju - nicknamed The Headmaster because of his commanding presence in the midfield - was unceremoniously dropped by Real Sociedad when he came to the end of a four-year contract there in June 2000.

Desert success

The then-president of the Basque club graciously thanked the likeable Adepoju, who was a fans' favourite, for his service to the club.

But the amount of time he spent on the sidelines - he made only 29 appearances for the club during his final two years - made him surplus to requirements.

I had a good offer from Bolton and was all set to sign for them until Salamanca came forward

Mutiu Adepoju

However, like some biblical figure, Adepoju rediscovered his talent in the desert over the last 12 months and clubs across Europe started enquiring after his availablity.

"I had a good offer from Bolton Wanderers in the English Premiership and was all set to sign for them until Salamanca came forward.

"I always wanted to come back to Spain so, in the end, it was an easy choice," commented Adepoju.

He still had a three-week wait to make his debut after the Saudi football federation delayed transferring his registration papers, but is now aiming to get back into the Super Eagles' set-up in time for next summer's World Cup.

Having won 46 caps, and with appearances in the last two World Cups to his name, pulling on the green jersey of Nigeria would complete his return to top-class football.


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