Mbong off to Wales for Barry T. trial

Hibernians midfielder Essien Mbong (picture) yesterday left Malta for Wales where he will undergo a one-week trial with Welsh Premier League champions and cup holders Barry Town.

Mbong played for the Paolites on Saturday in a lacklustre 1-0 win over Valletta in the FA Trophy.

The 27-year-old Nigerian's agent and spokesman, Henry Ekezie, yesterday told The Times that the player is still weighing up his options as his contract with Hibernians runs out in summer.

FIFA agent Ekezie added Mbong has a good chance to move abroad but he also did not rule out an extension with the Paola club for whom Mbong has been playing for the past five years.

The popular John Fashanu, a former Wimbledon star, is Barry Town's new chairman. He took over last February and immediately signed former Nigeria no.1 goalkeeper Abidoun Barauwa. Young striker Adebayo Akinfenwa, another Nigerian, was signed from Lithuanian side FC Atlantas earlier this month.

The BBC recently quoted Fashanu as saying he wants to sign more Nigerian players to secure better TV rights for Barry Town's games. He reckons that an influx of African players will generate massive interest with football fans from that continent.

Mbong and Barauwa played together earlier in their careers in the Nigerian Olympic selection. The Hibs player will be returning on Sunday.

At present, Barry Town, eliminated by Valletta FC 3-2 on aggregate in the 1999 Champions Cup preliminary round, are second in the league, seven points behind Total Network Solutions FC.