Michael Uchebo
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Okechukwu Uchebo | ||
| Date of birth | February 2, 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Enugu, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 2.04 m (6 ft 8 1⁄2 in)[1] | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | VVV-Venlo | ||
| Number | 14 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2008–2009 | Enugu Rangers | ||
| 2010– | VVV-Venlo | 48 | (6) |
| National team | |||
| 2008–2009 | Nigeria U-20 | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 February 2012. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Michael Okechukwu Uchebo (born 2 February 1990) is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a striker for VVV-Venlo in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Contents |
[edit] Career
He began his career in Enugu Rangers.[2] Uchebo signed a three year contract with VVV Venlo in October 2009.[3] Venlo's football director Mario Captien described him as physically very strong striker who is a target man at the front.[4][5] [6] Dutch Voetbal International, referred Uchebo as the new Kanu Nwankwo.[7]
In November 2011, Venlo's chairman Hai Berden revealed that the club is in talks with English side Stoke City regarding the transfer of Uchebo.[8] In January 2012 Uchebo joined Stoke City on trial.[9][10] However, at the end of the trial, the club decided not to sign him.[11] On 25 January, Uchebo joined Rangers on a trial. His trial at the club ended after just one day, with conflicting reports from the player and Rangers. The agent of Uchebo claimed that player cut short his trial due to a poor impression of Rangers after Ally McCoist did not attend the single training session in question, while McCoist said that it was a club decision.[12][13][14]
[edit] International career
Uchebo was a member of the Nigeria U-20 team and in August 2008 he scored his first goal for Nigeria in a match against Togo in the West African Football Union tournament.[2] He also played at the U-20 2009 African Youth Championship tournament, scoring one goal in three matches.[15][16] He was described in the media as the most sought after player among the Nigeria squad in the tournament.[17]
In June 2011 Uchebo was called up by current Olympic team and National U-23 coach Austin Eguavoen for the crucial return leg of the Olympic qualifiers against Tanzania. [18]
In October 2011 U-23 coach Austin Eguavoen visited the Netherlands and met with officials of VVV Venlo to secure the release of Uchebo to participate the inaugural edition of the CAF U-23 championship in Morroco. [19]
[edit] Career statistics
- As of 29 February 2012
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | Other[A] | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| VVV-Venlo | 2009–10 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| 2010–11 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 27 | 6 | |
| 2011–12 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | |
| Career total | 48 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 53 | 8 | |
[edit] Footnotes
- A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Eredivisie Relegation Play-offs.
[edit] References
- ^ "Michael Uchebo". vvv-venlo.nl. http://www.vvv-venlo.nl/spelers-details.asp?SelectieID=65. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
- ^ a b Nigeria Beat Togo 2-0
- ^ VVV-Venlo kan Nigerianen eindelijk verwelkomen
- ^ Spotlight: Michael Uchebo, the cult hero of VVV Feb 23 2010
- ^ Uchebo The black Johan Cruyff
- ^ VVV-Venlo - Borussia Mönchengladbach 1 (uchebo) - 2
- ^ Voetbal International Who's hot Who's not
- ^ Sky Sports Uchebo set for Stoke talks November 6th 2011
- ^ "Stoke take Nigerian striker Michael Uchebo on trial". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16482730.stm. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
- ^ "Pulis casts eye over Nigerian striker Uchebo". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-14379913-detail/story.html?. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
- ^ "Stoke City end interest in trialist Michael Uchebo". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16546513.stm?. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ STV.tv Michael Uchebo ends Rangers trial after one day
- ^ "Watching Brief". rangers.co.uk. http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/football-news/article/2590983. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- ^ The Guardian 27/01/2012 Ally McCoist dismisses stories he could walk away from Rangers
- ^ South Africa go top as Egypt win in Kigali
- ^ [1]
- ^ Scouts-Jostle-For-Uchebo
- ^ Peoples Daily Eguavoen calls Ahmed, Uchebo for Tanzania Thursday, 09 June 2011
- ^ allafrica.com 27 October 2011
[edit] External links
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