Nigerian 'hot shot' Worgu joins Sudanese club Merreikh

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OMDURMAN, Sudan, Oct 24, 2008 (AFP) - Nigerian striker Stephen Worgu, the hottest football property in Africa, has completed a 2.6-million-dollar move to leading Sudanese club Al-Merreikh.

Teenager Worgu took the African Champions League by storm this year, scoring an unrivalled 13 goals for Enyimba before their semi-final loss to Al-Ahly of Egypt last weekend.

He had been linked with five-time African champions Ahly, but talks stumbled over demands for a 1.5-million-dollar transfer fee plus an annual salary of one million.

Merreikh officials confirmed Friday that Worgu had signed a four-year deal with Merreikh, the second most successful football club in the vast east African country behind bitter Omdurman rivals Al-Hilal.

Merreikh trail Hilal by three points entering the closing stages of another two-team title race, but have played one fixture less and boast a superior goal difference.

"I preferred Merreikh to Ahly because the Sudanese club chairman demonstrated how serious he was about a deal by bringing me here," Worgu told the Sudanese media on arriving to conclude a deal.

"The warm reception I received was delightful and I hope to live up to the expectations of Merreikh," said the striker, who is six goals ahead of Daouda Kamilou from finalists Cotonsport Garoua of Cameroon in the scorers' table.

Nigerians have made a major impact in Sudan for several seasons with Endurance Idahor among the stars of Merreikh while Kelechi Osunwa is the leading Hilal scorer.

The 'brain drain' at 2003-2004 African champions Enyimba may not be over as South African club Ajax Cape Town have been linked with defender Monday Osagie and striker Ezenwa Otorogu.