Babatunde Michael bids war torn Ukraine goodbye

African Football.com can exclusively reveal Nigeria’s World Cup star, Babatunde Michael is now finally on his way out of Ukrainian club, Volyn.Babatunde had been a summer transfer target for several top European clubs and he had not been registered by his club for the new season in Ukraine.

And the left winger, who shone for Nigeria at the recent World Cup in Brazil, told AfricanFootball.com he was not eligible to play for Volyn on Sunday against Zorya as reported because he was not registered.

He also revealed to AfricanFootball.com he is on his way out of the team and his next destination will be known soon.

“There was no element of truth in the news that I was ready to play against Zorya on Sunday. My fitness is not in doubt, but I am not eligible to play again in Ukraine at least for moment because I was not registered,” Babatunde said in an exclusive telephone conversation with AfricanFootball.com

“The world will know where I will play next, but for now I am waiting to see what happens next. It seems I won’t play for Volyn this season.

“The club is giving me every support for a new challenge wherever I may end up.”

Babatunde added: “As a matter of fact, I am still a Volyn player going by my contract, they have shown me love and I have respected my contract and that is why everything is positive.

“They have offers on their table, but sooner or later things will work out well.”

Van Gaal hard to please – Klose

Miroslav Klose claims the years he spent playing under new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal were the hardest of his career.

Klose, Germany’s all-time leading goalscorer with 71 goals, left Bayern Munich in 2011 after struggling to satisfy the Dutchman. The 36-year-old played 60 games while Van Gaal was in charge of Bayern, but scored only 12 goals.

“It was a tough time, particularly working with Van Gaal,” Klose told Germany’s Die Zeit newspaper.

“I didn’t feel free. It was very difficult for me to fulfil his expectations. He was asking me to make runs I just couldn’t see. I didn’t feel free. It was very difficult for me to fulfil his expectations. He was asking me to make runs I just couldn’t see.”

“I gave it all I could, but sometimes it just wasn’t enough.”

Had it not been for the backing of the fans and the faith shown in him by Germany coach Joachim Low, Klose says he may not have emerged from the two years he spent under Van Gaal the way he did.

Klose has since gone on to score 41 goals in 101 games for Lazio, and broken Gerd Muller’s goalscoring record for his country on his way to winning the World Cup last month.