| United Nations  They’ve
travelled to Ireland from three continents and now Sligo’s foreign
legion aim to shake up the Eircom League.
Forget about Cork being a former European City Of Culture or Dublin being
a thriving cosmopolitan hub the real multi-cultural spot in Ireland must
be Sligo!
The current squad of 21 players at Sligo Rovers boasts more non-nationals
than Irish-born players as the Bit O’Red aim to improve on last
year’s impressive fifth place finish in the Eircom League.
In all nine different countries and three continents are represented at
The Showgrounds with players hailing from Nigeria, Australia, Poland,
Bosnia Herzegovina, Hungary, England, the North of Ireland and Scotland.
Upfront Nigerian under-21 striker Choice Aisien is an imposing presence
for rival defences and he’s been tipped to make a big impact this
season. Former manager Sean Connor spotted the youngster plying his trade
in Germany and brought him to the North West on a free transfer during
the 2006 season. Previously Aisien had spells at Eintracht Frankfurt and
Kickers Offenbach.
One of the stars of Sligo’s campaign thus far has been Bosnian frontman
Fahrudin Kudozovic.
He secured vital points for Rovers in their home clash with UCD earlier
this month when he knocked in a last-minute goal to give Sligo a 1-0 win.
Kudozovic also found the back of the net in his side’s League defeat
to Longford Town and he’s been earmarked as one to watch this season.
Polish winger Piotr Bajdziak has also caught the eye of supporters on
the banks of the Garavogue and the former under-17 international earned
rave reviews playing in his native Poland and Sweden before moving to
Ireland.
Sligo started the season well but have stuttered of late. The managerless
side won three of their first four games but losses to Drogheda United
and Bohemians recently see them sitting in mid-table.
The club was dealt a hammer blow at the start of the season when manager
Rob McDonald parted company with the League of Ireland outfit but caretaker
managers Dessie Cawley and Leo Tierney may have done enough already to
be announced as the full-time managerial team.
Chairman Michael Toolan said: “There are still a few names in the
hat for the manager’s job. But results have proven just how good
a job Dessie and Leo are doing.”
The temporary pair may do well to attend a few languages classes if they
want to make their jobs permanent as Sligo’s cosmopolitan squad
aim to introduce a unique brand of international flair to the Eircom League.
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