The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Etebo

  • Etebo shines with U-23s to deserve CHAN chance

    Warri Wolves forward Oghenekaro Etebo has shone at the U-23 AFCON in Senegal to prove he deserves to be considered for next year’s CHAN in Rwanda.

    Etebo was not one of the  26 players named by Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh, who will begin a training camp in Abuja today for the 2016 CHAN in Rwanda.

    Nigeria won the U-23 AFCON with Etebo emerging as the top scorer of the tournament with five goals including the decisive strikes in the semi-final and final.

    His winning goal in a 2-1 win over Algeria in the U-23 AFCON final showed pure class as he took off on a solo run into the heart of the opponents’ defence before he coolly slotted home past the onrushing goalkeeper, who before then had only conceded a goal.

    In the semi-final against hosts and favourites Senegal, he led the team to victory in the absence of three other key figures in the team, namely captain Azubuike Okechukwu, Taiwo Awoniyi and Stanley Dimgba.

    He and Usman Mohammed were specially chosen by coach Samson Siasia, when there was a clash of engagements between the U-23s and Eagles earlier this year with Chima Akas and Kingsley Sokari released to the home Eagles.

    Etebo is a skillful forward armed with a great dribble and superb vision to create chances for others to score goals.

    The striker is fast, packs a decent shot and as he proved in Senegal, he is a very cool customer from the penalty spot.

    He is also good at set pieces – flashback to his audacious goal attempt from more than 40 yards against Algeria in a group game in Senegal – and as long as he is not bogged down by a knee injury, which has set back his career, he is a very consistent performer.

    After scoring 16 goals in his rookie season in the Nigeria league in 2013/14, he scored five goals in the just concluded season NPFL for league runners-up Warri Wolves.

    Etebo was dropped at the last minute from the final squad to the CHAN last year and has already been capped at full international level by Nigeria. No doubt, he is one player from the U-23 AFCON, who could add quality to the home-based Eagles heading to the CHAN next month.

    Others to consider for the CHAN would be left winger Stanley Dimgba, if he would be fit again before the tournament, and goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel.

  • DREAM TEAM VS RED DEVILS: It’s time for revenge, Etebo roars

    DREAM TEAM VS RED DEVILS: It’s time for revenge, Etebo roars

    Nigeria’s Under-23s will be gunning for a big win against Congo in today’s 2016 Olympic men’s football qualifying game.

    To successfully accomplish that task, Samson Siasia will be banking on forwards Taiwo Awoniyi, Junior Ayaji and Oghenekaro Etebo.

    Etebo sat down with supersport.com to discuss the challenge of putting Congo to the sword as well as the more unconventional things about his life.

     

    What are Nigeria’s chances of racking up a big win against Congo?

    It will be a good game and for me, I have a personal score to settle. The club I play for, Warri Wolves, were knocked out of the CAF Confederaion Cup by a Congolese club (AC Leopard). So, this is a chance for revenge.

     

    What is your favourite food?

    Rice, beans, plantain and chicken.

     

    Your happiest memory in football?

     That would be my first league game with Warri Wolves at home. It was against El-Kanemi Warriors and I scored a hat-trick.

     

    And the worst?

    Losing the Federation Cup final to Enyimba with Warri Wolves on penalties in 2013 made me cry like a baby.

     

    Who is your best friend in football?

    That will be my teammate at Wolves, Michael Uremu Egbeta. We have been friends even before we both joined the club and it has continued till this moment.

     

    Who is your best-dressed teammate?

    Daniel Akpeyi, our goalkeeper. He’s a very trendy guy.

     

    And the worst?

    Freedom Omoforman. He will kill me for this (chuckles).

     

    Who is the best coach you have ever worked with?

    Solomon Ogbeide. He’s the coach who spotted me when I didn’t even believe in myself.

     

    Tell us about the best goal you ever scored.

     That was a goal I scored against Sunshine Stars at the Warri City Stadium. I received a lofted pass from midfield and smashed it home with my left foot. It was a truly great goal.

     

     Who is the most difficult opponent you have ever faced?

    Enugu Rangers’ Senegalese defender Pierre Coly. He’s as hard as nails.

     

    What would you do if you received a gift of a million dollars?

    That’s a great question. I will invest a large chunk of that money but I will also help the poor and needy in society.

     

    Your favourite football club?

    In Nigeria Warri Wolves and in Europe FC Barcelona.

     

    Who is that one female celebrity you would want to date?

    If I say my girlfriend will kill me (laughs).

     

    Your favourite colour?

    White.

     

    Your favourite car?

    I don’t really have one, but it has to be black.

  • Aigbogun explains Etebo’s bizarre substitution

    Aigbogun explains Etebo’s bizarre substitution

    Head coach of Warri Wolves, Paul Aigbogun, has moved to clarify the reasons behind his rather puzzling second substitution in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Congolese club, AC Leopard, in the CAF Confederation Cup.

    Wolves were 2-1 up at the Warri City Stadium when Aigbogun elected to take off striker, Oghenekaro Etebo, and draft in Abu Azeez in the 65th minute.

    With Azeez already on the touch line and Etebo racing off the pitch, a section of the Wolves support reacted violently with several individuals almost rushing toward the pitch to stop the substitution.

    The fans ostensibly wanted Etebo to continue and the trainer seemingly bowed to their wishes when he instead asked for Freedom Omofoman to be substituted and Azeez eventually thrown into the fray.

    Aigbogun, however, claims the fans did not play any part in his decision to allow Etebo continue, saying one of his assistants made a mistake over the substitution.

    “No, the fans did not influence my decision. The thing is one of the coaches made a mistake with the substitution.

    “It was actually Freedom and not Etebo who was supposed to be taken off,” he told supersport.com.

    Etebo went on to score Wolves’ third goal in the 90th minute.

  • Etebo, Salami hand Wolves victory

    Etebo, Salami hand Wolves victory

    Warri Wolves coasted to a 2-0 victory over Dedebit FC of Ethiopia in a CAF Confederation Cup first leg match on Saturday.

    A goal in each half proved enough for the Seasiders in the first round encounter at the Warri City Stadium.

    The inclusion of the duo of Oghenekaro Etebo and returning striker Gbolahan Salami was essential for the hosts.

    Etebo scored his second goal of the competition just seven minutes into the match, before Salami put the icing on the cake with a secnd half spot kick.

    The game got underway in Warri with Wolves wasting no time at stamping their authority on the game and were in front less than ten minutes into the game.

    Etebo made no mistake in giving his side the lead and handing the homers a morale boosting advantage.

    Dedebit were left reeling after a breathless clash and were soon under even more pressure as Wolves came surging forward.

    Chances opened up for the Seasiders, but they were wasteful in front of goal.

    Salami doubled the hosts’ lead after 78 minutes with a well-taken goal penalty kick.

  • WARRI WOLVES ETEBO CLINCHES WONDER GOAL 7 AWARD

    WARRI WOLVES ETEBO CLINCHES WONDER GOAL 7 AWARD

    Etebo Oghenekaro of Warri Wolves has emerged the winner of the Glo Premier League Wonder Goal Award.

    Warri Wolves thus becomes the second Club to produce back to back winners as Etebo emerged the seventh winner on the heels of Freedom Omofoman who was voted the sixth winner. Rangers International had earlier had two players, Osaguona Ighodaro and Emeka Eze winning the first and second edition of the award.

    Etebo secured 72.2% of the votes to beat a field of four other nominees including the League’s joint top scorer, Emem Eduok of Dolphins who came second with 12.8 votes. The other nominees, Bobby Clement of Heartland scored 9.8% of the votes leaving Bayelsa United’s Samuel Tswaya with 5.3% in fourth place.

    Fans, who participated in the voting exercise, chose Etebo’s goal in Warri Wolves defeat of Bayelsa United on Match Day 32 in Benin while Eduok was nominated for his fifth goal in the historic six he scored against Nembe City in Port Harcourt on Match Day 35. Bobby’s nomination was for his goal against Kano Pillars, a cheeky side flash on Match Day 30 in Owerri while Tswaya got on the nomination for his smashing shot against Sunshine Stars in another Match Day 30 fixture in Benin.

    Etebo will thus receive the N100, 000 prize money when the presentation ceremony holds in Warri this Sunday during their Match Day 37 fixture with Crown of Ogbomosho.

    The player, who took the league scene by storm two seasons’ ago before going for a spell in Turkey, described the award as a ‘a new inspiration for me to get back to the top of my game”.

    “Just last week, we watched our team mate receive the award from the NFF President and I never had the inkling that I would be the next considering that it is for every player in the league. I am grateful and will build on this success not only for my career but also for the club which has given me the opportunity to show my talent”, stated Etebo.

    The Wonder Goal Award is an initiative of the LMC to build closer relationship between clubs and their communities of domicile and also show-case spectacular goals scored during the season as well as the team work  behind the goals. Half of the cash prize is donated to a Charity located within the city of the club. Past winners, Osaguona Ighodaro and Emeka Eze of Rangers recently made donations to the Holy Child Orphanage in Enugu after winning the first and second edition of the Awards. In Aba, Rasheed Olabiyi of Enyimba made his donation to the Ngwa Road Motherless Babies Home after emerging the fourth winner of the award.

  • Etebo makes strong case for non-league stars

    Etebo makes strong case for non-league stars

    The new Warri Wolves board has been asked to sign up more non-league players after the superb showing of Oghenekaro Etebo last season.

    Etebo finished as one of the leading scorers in the league this past season and has already been capped at full international level by Nigeria.

    Football stakeholders in Delta also enjoined the Davidson Owumi-led board to go for a seasoned young coach who will transform the budding talents that abound in the nooks and crannies of the state.

    According to Wolves’ media manager, Moses Etu, the stakeholders made these submissions at an interactive season organised by the new board.

    He said the stakeholders, comprising the State Coaches Association, the Referees Council, ex-players, State Sports Writers Association, Supporters Club pointed at the achievement of a hitherto unknown Etebo who was drafted from the amateur ranks but has now become a household name in Nigeria.

    In the view of the stakeholders, the likes of Etebo are many in the streets and what is left is for the new board to look for them and groom them.

    The stakeholders reasoned that it would be best to sign up rookies and some experienced ones who are committed to the vision of the club so Wolves can clinch their first major trophy.

  • Oghenekaro Etebo

    Oghenekaro Etebo

    Warri Wolves forward Oghenekaro Etebo is the MTNFootball.com league star of Week 34 after his treble in a 4-1 thrashing of Wikki Tourists.

    This will be Etebo’s third award in his rookie season in the top flight and his remarkable progress has been further underscored by the fact that he is already knocking on the door of the Super Eagles

    Interestingly, this highly promising youngster also scored the first hat-trick of the current season. He has scored 15 goals now and he is the second leading scorer behind Victor Namo of Nasarawa United, who has 16 goals.

    He was picked ahead of Enyimba’s Bright Esieme, who shone like a million stars in the 1-0 win over Akwa United and Sharks star Christian Pyagbara, who netted a brace in the 3-0 spanking of El Kanemi Warriors.

    Other nominees were Victor Namo, whose brace helped Nasarawa United sink 3SC 3-0; Obioma Arinze, who scored the lone goal to hold back Bayelsa United, and Enyimba’s Chinedu Udoji who was rock solid in the heart of defence.

    ‘Afaras’ told MTNFootball.com he hopes to keep firing in the goals.

    “I thank God for my goals. I will keep doing my best to get in the goals, I am sure more will still come,” he said.

    On the number of goals he wishes to score before the end of the season, Etebo said, “I don’t want to set any target, I just want to keep doing my best for Wolves and get in the goals when I have the chances, but I know I can end up as top scorer but not desperate for it.”

    He revealed that he derives his inspiration from England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.

    “Rooney is my idol, my man any day, anytime. I draw inspiration from him a lot,” Oghenekaro said.

    PROFILE

    Born: November 9, 1995

    Height: 1.76m

    Weight: 70kg

    Position: Attacking midfielder

    Role model: Rooney

    Clubs: Lord Honour FC, Warri Wolves feeders’ team

  • Nigeria league star of the week:Oghenekaro Etebo

    Nigeria league star of the week:Oghenekaro Etebo

    Warri Wolves forward Oghenekaro Etebo has emerged as the MTNFootball.com star of the Nigerian Premier League Week 23.

    He was chosen ahead of 3SC goalkeeper Laide Okanlawon, who was outstanding in goal against Lobi Stars despite his team’s 1-0 loss, Sharks shot stopper Chijioke Ejiogu, who made sure his team recorded a goalless draw at Kwara United, and Lobi Stars striker Barnabas Imenger, who came off the bench to score a superb goal against Shooting Stars.

    Oghenekaro scored the only goal to give Warri Wolves a hard-earned victory over Rangers to take his team to second on the table and close the gap on leaders Kano Pillars. He has scored 10 goals so far in the league.

    ‘Afaras’, as the Super Eagles player is called by his admirers, told MTNFootball.com he is delighted to be the match winner for Wolves.

    “I am happy that I scored the goal that gave us victory, it was an important goal but the victory is all about Warri Wolves and not me because we worked hard to get it,” Etebor told MTNFootball.com.

    He also revealed he gets his inspiration from England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.

    “Rooney is my idol. I derive inspiration from him,” said Etebo.

     

    PROFILE

     

    Born: November 9, 1995

    Height: 1.76m

    Weight: 70kg

    Position: Attacking midfielder

    Role model: Wayne Rooney

    Clubs: Lord Honour FC, Warri Wolves feeders’ team

     

  • Etebo thanks coaches, team mates

    Etebo thanks coaches, team mates

    Warri Wolves’ academy revelation Oghenekaro Etebo has thanked his coaches and mates for making his call up to the Super Eagles possible.

    The player was one of the 24 picked by Nigeria’s senior national team selectors for the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying match against Cote d’Ivoire slated for July 6 in Kaduna.

    Etebo has recorded nine goals in his debut season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and, after a surprise invitation to the home based Eagles, the young striker praised his coach, Solomon Ogbeide and his lieutenants including his team mates for nurturing him to have the recognition of the national team.

    He promised to hold his own among the 24 players in camp and to also distinguish himself during the training sessions to earn a place in the squad for the CHAN qualifier.

    Etebo also gives thanks to God for the opportunity to play for the national team despite his short stint in the Premier League.

    The striker got the first hat-trick of the season when he scored three goals against El Kanemi Warriors in Warri Wolves’ 4-1 win at the Warri City Stadium.

    The 24 invited players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday.

    Nigeria is yet to qualify for the CHAN competition which is marking its third edition in South Africa next year.