Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has reportedly handed Slavia Prague defender Igoh Ogbu his maiden Tremendous Eagles call-up forward of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers towards Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March, Soccernet.ng understands.
In keeping with ScoreNigeria, Ogbu has been chosen as a direct substitute for injured West Bromwich Albion centre-back Semi Ajayi, who’s sidelined after selecting up an harm throughout coaching final month.
Ogbu’s invitation is a reward for his spectacular performances in Europe, the place he has been certainly one of Nigeria’s most constant defenders lately.
The 25-year-old has been a rock on the coronary heart of Slavia Prague’s defence, serving to the Czech giants lead the Czech First League by 13 factors of their pursuit of an eighth league title.
The previous Gombe United star has featured in 18 league matches this season, scoring as soon as and enjoying a key position in Slavia’s defensive solidity.
His expertise on the highest degree, together with appearances within the Champions League qualifiers and Europa League group stage, makes him a prepared substitute for Ajayi.
undisclosed Premier League crew is monitoring Igoh Ogbu from Slavia Praha.
The 24-year-old former Gombe FC defender is the one participant near Virgil Van Dijk in time period of Top and technicality.
Excl Will Ogbu fortifies Tremendous Eagles defence? pic.twitter.com/Hktx7Uqtmv
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Eric Chelle’s new man: Igoh Ogbu
Ogbu’s rise to prominence started with the Nigeria U-20 crew, the place he performed on the 2019 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and the FIFA U-20 World Cup, making seven appearances in each tournaments.
His membership profession took him to Norway with Rosenborg, Levanger, Sogndal, and Lillestrøm earlier than sealing a transfer to Slavia Prague in January 2023. Since then, he has established himself as the most effective defenders within the Czech prime flight.
A no-nonsense, tough-tackling centre-back, Ogbu has proven he can maintain his personal towards Europe’s finest forwards.
The Nigerian confronted Romelu Lukaku, Olivier Giroud, and Omar Marmoush in final season’s Europa League – experiences that solely boosted his confidence.
“Enjoying towards Giroud, Lukaku, and Marmoush will be described as a very good expertise for me, an excellent factor,” Ogbu instructed Tribal Soccer as per Brila.
“Lukaku is a really sturdy striker, Olivier Giroud, and Marmoush as effectively, who all people is aware of; the expertise is there. I wasn’t careworn in any respect.”
Ogbu significantly impressed in Slavia Prague’s 3-1 defeat to AC Milan, the place he stood agency towards Giroud’s bodily presence. He additionally held his personal in two hard-fought video games towards Roma, limiting Lukaku’s affect in Slavia’s three-man defence.
“After enjoying towards Lukaku, I believe I don’t have any worry towards any striker,” he added.
Patiently ready for Nigeria probability
Regardless of his constant shows, Ogbu’s first senior nationwide crew call-up has been lengthy overdue. The defender has remained affected person, trusting that his time would finally come.
“I’m not in a haste. I simply imagine in what I can do, and I’ve to attend. Different Nigerians are enjoying, and different gamers are there as effectively,” Ogbu mentioned.
“It’ll at all times come to be your time in the event you hold working exhausting and bettering your recreation. It’ll occur in God’s timing.”
With Ogbu now set to hitch the Tremendous Eagles squad, his fearless perspective and rising popularity may make him an important determine in Chelle’s plans as Nigeria look to safe qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The Slavia Prague star will battle with the likes of Calvin Bassey and captain William Troost-Ekong for a spot within the coronary heart of Nigeria’s defence – and if his performances in Europe are something to go by, Ogbu won’t be fazed by the problem.
