Mamelodi Sundowns’ new striker from Ethiopia, Abubeker Nassir, has assured his fans back home that he has received a warm welcome at the Tshwane giants after finally making his debut in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old forward took to his Facebook page to dispute earlier social reports in Ethiopia football circles suggesting that he was being sidelined with a possible loan move being an option in South Africa.
In reaction, Nassir insisted that his delays to don the blue and yellow were due to international transfer certificate hitches and an injury suffered in pre-season training with Sundowns.
“I am having a good time in South Africa. My friends are expressing their concerns following the news circulating on social media. First of all, I would like to thank all of you for your concern. I would like to inform you that what is being said is far from the truth,” he posted on his Facebook page.
“The club has welcomed me well from the beginning and has taken good care of me till now. When I was successful with the team, I was able to score three goals in two pre-competition games. Although I missed some trainings due to a small injury…, I have continued to work with the team. I hope I will be back in the field with good performance soon.”
The Ethiopian international made his debut for Sundowns after being introduced in the second half of the league game, in which the holders lost 1-0 to TS Galaxy on Wednesday evening in the DStv Premiership.
Summing up his debut, Nassir tweeted: “Thanks for your support, we’ll come back stronger…A debut in PSL, even if we lost tonight, the atmosphere in Loftus Versfeld was heartwarming. Tutaruka hivi karibuni!”
Nassir received his international transfer certificate earlier this week to complete his long-awaited transfer from Ethiopia Coffee FC.
The Ethiopian international joined Sundowns last month, soon after featuring in Coffee’s 1-0 loss to Arba Minch City in an Ethiopian Premier League farewell match on June 24 2022.
The talented frontman made a name for himself since joining Coffee in July 2019 with a string of important goals.
The lethal striker netted 36 goals in 47 Premier League appearances in the last two campaigns for Coffee.
He was voted last season’s Most Valuable Player and top scorer in the Ethiopian Premier League.
Nassir played for Ethiopia at Cameroon’s delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
He has also started the 2023 AFCON qualifying campaign after scoring in the famous 2-0 win over Egypt.
