Super Eagles star, Oghenekaro Etebo, clocked 21 on Wednesday.
The youngster has become one of Nigeria’s brightest prospects following his remarkable display for the Dream Team VI at the Rio Olympics.
Etebo, alongside 22 others, are currently in Eagles camp preparing to face Algeria in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Happy birthday @NGSuperEagles striker @etebokaro! #HappyBirthdayEtebo pic.twitter.com/MhKSQEA3Ov
— The NFF (@thenff) November 9, 2016
To mark the birthday of the former Warri Wolves man, we examine five astonishing facts about the player.
- Debuted for Eagles aged 19
Many Nigerians only got to know about Etebo at the 2015 U23 African Championship – a tournament won by Samson Siasia’s lads. Etebo was the star of the competition notching five goals to win the top scorer award but this wasn’t his first appearance for Nigeria. The midfielder had already played for the Eagles in a 2-1 loss to Cote d’Ivoire during the 2014 African Nations Championship qualification campaign.
- Superb goalscoring ratio
Etebo has always proven his remarkable goalscoring prowess despite playing predominantly from midfield. He struck 23 times in just 64 games for Wolves before his move to Europe last summer where he continued to impress hitting three goals in four appearances. Etebo has also found the back of the net on 16 occasions for both the Eagles and Dream Team.
- Scores hat-tricks almost all the time
Etebo is already becoming synonymous with scoring hat-tricks. He struck thrice in one game on his debut for Wolves in 2013 before firing another hat-trick against El Kanemi Warriors few weeks later. Etebo also demonstrated his trademark strikes by scoring four beautiful goals for the Dream Team against Japan at the Olympics.
- He is versatile
It is still unclear where exactly Etebo’s most suitable position is. This is because the player has been deployed in a variety of positions ranging from defence to midfield and most recently in attack. However, the Most Promising Talent on the continent has thrived excellently in attacking midfielder just behind the striker.
- Plays for Portuguese club owned by Nigerian
Not many Nigerians are privileged to play in a European club owned by an African. Etebo happens to be among that elite group playing for Portugal side, Feirense, owned by Nigerian businessman, Kunle Soname. The striker moved to the club in 2016 same time the Azuis da Feira gained promotion to the Primiera Liga.
