Knocks for Junior Lokosa over trials in Chinese league

The decision by Kano Pillars attacker, Junior Lokosa, who is considered as one of the hottest players in the Nigeria Professional League (NPFL), to seek contract with a Chinese second division club, is not going down well with some football-loving Nigerians.

SCORENigeria reported yesterday that Lokosa and Katsina United midfielder, Destiny Ashadi, will by this weekend, know whether they will sign a contract with the Chinese second division club, Heilongjiang Lava Spring FC.

Both Lokosa, top scorer in the NPFL last season with Kano Pillars, and midfielder Ashadi have been on trials with the Chinese club since last week. The trials are for 10-days.

The Chinese club, which is based in Harbin, is eighth in the 16-team second division with 38 points from 29 matches. The league ends this weekend.

Some Nigerians were uncomfortable with Lokosa’s decision to take his football to the Chinese league, which according to them, is ‘pension ground’ for old footballers.

“Whoever encouraged Lokosa to take his football trade to China is not doing him any good,” one football analyst said. “The Chinese league is for footballers who are closer to their retirement, but not for a young players like Lokosa and Ashadi.”

Another sports analyst added: “It means Lokosa is not even sure of his football skills. He should have gone to Egypt, Kenya or South Africa instead of facing China.”