Dickson hints leaving Pahang squad

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 -- Pahang striker Dickson Nwakaeme has hinted in his Instagram posting that he would leave the Elephant squad by the end of the season.

This was following the team’s 2-3 defeat to Kedah in the first round match of the Malaysia Cup competition at Darul Aman Stadium in Alor Setar, last night.

The 34-year-old Nigerian in his Instagram posting said he would take the responsibility for the defeat, and urged the fans not to criticise the other players.

“Whatever you have to say to any player, please say it to me. When the going was good, you all sang my name in every game. I enjoyed it. Now I will also love any criticism because I know the boys gave their everything,” he said. 

“Just unlucky not to win against a very good side. I always give my level best whenever I put on the Pahang jersey. But sometimes our best is not enough. It’s even more sad because this is my last game as a Pahang player,” added Nwakaeme who is fondly known as ‘Iron Man’ among his teammates.

At last night’s match, Muhammad Shakir Hamzah scored the opening goal in the 17th minute before imported duo Kpah Sherman and Kipre Tchetche added one each in the 36th and 44th minute.

Pahang, however, managed to reduce the deficit with goals from Muslim Ahmad in the 49th minute and Mohd Faizal Abdul Rani in the 88th minute.

The victory enabled Kedah, the 2019 finalist, to advance into the last eight of the country’s oldest football competition. They will meet either 33-time champions, Selangor or Melaka in the quarter-finals match on Nov 12 and 13.

The match between Selangor and Melaka will take place at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA