AIYENUGBA Has Suffered Racism In Israel

Nigeria outcast Dele Aiyenugba, now in his fifth season with Bnei Yehuda, has admitted that he suffered racism in his first year with the Israeli outfit.

''I just do not listen and try to ignore. I do not let it penetrate my ears.Already yelled at me here 'monkey' or 'nigger' in Hebrew, and I understand, of course, those words. when they are shouted to me. I just prefer to respond with a smile, it just gives me more power. Seen such things in other clubs where fans curse black players and call them names,'' the 28 - year -old goalkeeper told Walla Sport.

Adds the former Enyimba shot-stopper: ''The worst thing is when fans curse at you and call you names. This happened to me the first season Bnei Yehuda. This was my first season, I was younger and I made mistakes at the post. I remember we had the Brazilian striker Jose Duarte, is really fighting with fans, quarreled with some of them because of the cries and curses, but I preferred to be smarter and meet fans because once you fight fans, you lose them.''

Aiyenubga, who was signed as replacement for compatriot Vincent Enyeama, has made over 100 appearances for The Lions in the Israeli championship.