Akpoborie in 'slave' admission

Akpoborie still has hopes of featuring for Nigeria

Nigerian international striker Jonathan Akpoborie has said that a ship he owns had carried child labourers but he had not been aware of it.

Last month Akpoborie was suspended indefinitely by his German club VfL Wolfsburg who asked him to answer accusations that his ship was suspected of carrying child slaves.

"There were actually children on the ship...the captain didn't know about it, and least of all me," Akpoborie told German news weekly Stern.

The children on board were "probably being taken from Benin to Gabon to work", he added.

If I don't find a club in Germany, then something is wrong in this country

  Jonathan Akpoborie

Akpoborie has been subjected to media speculation amidst allegations that children on his ship, the 'Etireno', had been sold to work on West African slave plantations.

After initial allegations that up to 250 child slaves were on board, government officials and aid workers concluded an investigation by saying there were at least 13 victims of child trafficking on the ship.

Cleared of responsibility

From a legal perspective the player said he had "nothing to do with the affair".

Akpoborie has been in Germany for ten years

He was later cleared of direct responsibility by non-governmental organisation Terre des Hommes, who had done most to publicise the 'slave ship' allegations, and was also supported by the Nigerian foreign minister.

Akpoborie also told Stern that he was "very disappointed" in Wolfsburg's main sponsor Volkswagen.

The carmaker is reportedly not interested in continuing Akpoborie's employment, although his current contract runs until 2003.

Akpoborie said he saw no reason why he should not continue playing for a top German club.

"If I don't find a club in Germany as a result of these false allegations, then something is going wrong in this country", he said.

Akpoborie, who runs a shipping business with his family, last played for Nigeria in a World Cup qualifying match against Sudan in January.