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  Nigeria's Abbey on road to crunch time in career


Nigerian defender George Abbey could find himself experiencing the wonderful highs and the depressing lows of football over the next three months.
On Saturday, he could be celebrating helping his country to the African Nations Cup title, providing his team get past Tunisia in Wednesday's semi-finals.
However, in May, the 25-year-old may find himself playing in non-league English football as his current club, humble Macclesfield Town, are hovering just above the relegation zone in the English third division.
John Askey, the manager of the northern English club who play in front of crowds as meagre as 2,000, believes that Abbey's performances here could secure him a move out of the doldrums.
"If he continues to play well in Tunisia, there may be an offer for George on the table from another club when he comes back and we may have to face losing him," said the manager.
However, Abbey's potential future wasn't always that promising.
He went to England in 1999 after having played in Nigeria for Port Harcourt but just over a year ago, he couldn't even command a place in the Macclesfield first team.
While he struggled at club level, he was flourishing for the Super Eagles, even managing to play against world champions Brazil in Abuja.
"I've been craving an opportunity to play in the Premiership. Perhaps now I've finally earned the chance.
"I'm so happy that I got the chance to play for the national team and I hope my rating will rise in England."
Abbey was recommended to national coach Christian Chukwu by Everton defender and close friend Joseph Yobo and he has not looked back since breaking into the national squad last year.
"To play with Jay Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu was a dream for me. Jay Jay is one of the most gifted players I have ever seen and when he retires he will be very hard to replace.
"I can play at a higher level. I watch Joseph play for Everton and I really think that I can do the same. The difference in quality of players at the Nigerian level compared to the third division is unbelievable, but I have held my own."

AFP


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Tunisia clinch African Nations Cup glory     (14-02-2004 16:03)
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African Nations Cup winners     (14-02-2004 15:59)
African Nations Cup finals     (14-02-2004 15:59)
Tunisia's path to the African Nations Cup title     (14-02-2004 15:59)
African Nations Cup result     (14-02-2004 15:57)
Tunisia win African Nations Cup     (14-02-2004 15:57)
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I just ran out of steam, admits Kanoute     (14-02-2004 11:24)
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Derniére mise à jour 30/3/2009