Europe beckons for Ayegbeni

Sensational start
His double strike in the second qualifying round against SK Sturm Graz helped Maccabi become the first Israeli side to reach the Champions League group stages, while a hat-trick against Olympiakos Piraeus FC on Matchday Two secured his team's first Group F win.

Perfect response
Those five goals were the perfect response to the 19-year-old Nigerian's aborted summer move to England. Having been dropped by his country before the FIFA World Cup finals, Ayegbeni fell two international appearances short of the number required to qualify for an English work permit and missed his chance with relegated Premiership side Derby County FC.

Derby experience
However, Ayegbeni remains grateful for his two months with the Midlands club. "I learned a lot during my time at Derby. It is an amazing club and I'm grateful for their contribution to my current form," he said. "After I wasn't given a work permit I didn't have a choice or option but if I was playing for Derby now, I wouldn't have had the chance to participate in the Champions League."

Youth call-up
Born in Benin City, Ayegbeni started out with local amateur side Akomo Ohr at the age of 15 before transferring to Julius Berger FC, where he earned his first call-up for the Nigerian youth team in 1998/99.

Maccabi triumph
Recommended to Haifa owner Ya'akov Schahar by Nigeria's then assistant coach Amedo Shaibo, and agent Pini Zehavi, he was sold to Haifa for €500,000, and after a short loan spell at Hapoel Kfar Saba and a starring role for Nigeria at the 2000 Sydney Olympics he joined Maccabi's first team in January 2001 and help the club win back-to-back Ligat ha-Al titles.

'I was very sad'
Derby came calling but his hopes were to be dashed as he was omitted from Nigeria's World Cup squad. "I was down for two weeks and it was a good job the summer holidays were coming because I was very sad," he said.

Indomitable spirit
Famed for his indomitable spirit, Ayegbeni was never going to be down for too long. Not even a red card against Sturm which saw him miss his side's first Champions League game against Manchester United FC at Old Trafford could dent his self-belief.

Second chance
"Everyone wants to play against Manchester United, especially at Old Trafford, but as everything is written somewhere in the sky, I guess it was never meant to happen," he said. "I know I will get a chance to play at Old Trafford again - with them or against them, I do not know."

Destination unknown
Whether Sir Alex Ferguson is interested or not, Ayegbeni will be able to secure his work permit when the European transfer window reopens in December, and leave Haifa. However, his destination remains a mystery. "Where I will go next is something I don't know or am particularly bothered about as I have the best agent in the world who will take care of it," he said.

'The goals will come'
By the time he makes his move, Ayegbeni will be 20, but the clubs currently tracking his progress need have no doubt about his temperament. Supremely relaxed, he has kept his ambitions simple. "I never set myself a target of goals which I wish to reach," he said. "All I want is to play well and the goals will come."