BENIK AFOBE is hoping to finally get 2017 on the road today after a heartbreaking two weeks.
First the Bournemouth striker reluctantly snubbed representing Congo at the African Nations Cup in the best interests of his club career.
And then he was denied a dream start against his old team Arsenal due to a bureaucratic mix-up.
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But, after scoring two goals in his last three Premier League starts, Afobe wants to get the new year up and running at Hull today.
He has finally got official clearance from Congo as Fifa rules prohibit a player called up for international duty from representing his club.
Chatting at his flat in Poole just outside Bournemouth, Afobe admitted: “It was so tough missing the Arsenal game.
“I was starting and got to the changing rooms at 6pm — only to be pulled into Eddie Howe’s office and told the club hadn’t got the required clearance from Congo to play.
“I had been to the training ground in the morning, taken an afternoon nap and was all geared up to play.
“It’s against Arsenal, where I spent so many happy years from childhood, and on TV. It was heartbreaking.”
Bournemouth raced into a 3-0 lead, only to be hit by a stunning three-goal Gunners comeback in the last 20 minutes to deny them a famous victory.
Afobe, 23, added: “I was gutted but since missing the game, and reflecting, I’ve understood it’s not like I was dropped.
“It was just an administrative error and nothing sinister.”
The striker got a hammering in Congo for his late withdrawal from the squad, with suggestions the Cherries had put him under pressure not to go.
But Afobe switched allegiance from England last year because it was his intention to play in the tournament.
He explained: “I discussed it with Eddie Howe and he just said, ‘It’s up to you.’ He didn’t want to be the one accused of pulling me out.
“After discussions with my family, we felt that the tournament had just come at the wrong time.
“I’m not Sadio Mane, who has played pretty much every game at Liverpool this season. He knows he’ll get straight back into the team as Jurgen Klopp would’ve missed him.
“But this is my first full Premier League season and I need to get a bit of momentum going.
“I’ve been in and out of the team and had to work hard and take my opportunities when they’ve come along.
“Recently I’ve done well and just felt if I went away for potentially six weeks, I may not get another chance in the team for a while.
“I’ve got stick, but you can’t have regrets. Being honest, and as tough as the decision was, I made the right one.
“And with the tournament being played every two years, there will be other opportunities for me to play.”
His love for Congo is so great he is currently working on building a drop-in centre for youths to get shelter, food and schooling.
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He said: “My mum and dad are there right now and we’re hoping to grow this work so more people can get the help and support they need.”
Afobe’s old friend Jack Wilshere has been a revelation for the Cherries since joining on a season-long loan.
Wilshere wants to earn a new contract at Arsenal — but Afobe insists his friend “doesn’t know himself” what the future holds beyond this season.
He added: “Jack’s enjoying it here so I think he’d be open to staying.
“As he’s my best mate, it’s not something I ask him. But even if I did, he wouldn’t know the answer himself.
“It’s too soon to know whether he will be staying at Arsenal or going to a club like Manchester City or Everton, who have said they want him.
“But everyone knows he has 18 months left on his Arsenal contract so I don’t know if he’ll stay there or not.”
Afobe, however, says Wilshere has become one of the most vocal players at the club since joining.
He said: “He’s getting a more confident and settled in really well.
“Some said Bournemouth was beneath Jack but he was the one who WANTED to come and it’s worked out great.
“No one is saying now, ‘Oh, Wilshere is playing for Bournemouth’ because we’re attracting top players and are ninth in the Premier League.