Oghenekaro Etebo is arguably the most exciting young midfielder in African football – and he’s been watched by Sheffield Wednesday.
Nigerian football has had its fair share of nearly men in recent years. From John Obi Mikel to Peter Odemwingie to Vincent Enyeama and Yakubu, the Super Eagles have boasted a raft of players who can be described as good rather than great.
Oghenekaro Etebo, however, could end the nation’s long wait for first truly top class footballer since Jay Jay ‘so-good-they-named-him-twice’ Okocha. There’s a reason he’s been likened to Paul Pogba.
The 21-year-old, who is earning rave reviews in Portugal with Feirense, was named African football’s Most Promising Player in 2015. Etebo also shone at the Olympics in Rio, scoring four times in the opening group stage match against Japan.
A year earlier, he finished as the top scorer when inspiring Nigeria to the Under-23 African Cup of Nations title.
Star in the making
And, perhaps most intriguingly of all, Etebo has been watched by Sheffield Wednesday. Portuguese outlet Record claim that the Championship club were one of a number of sides who sent scouts to watch Feirense travel to Benfica on Friday night.
With three Portuguese players in Wednesday’s squad and an Iberian manager at the helm in Carlos Carvalhal, it is not unknown for the Yorkshire giants to send scouts to Portugal.
Though with Etebo in action against Benfica at the Estadio da Luz, there is a genuine chance that Wednesday could have one of African football’s most exciting talents on their shortlist.
Etebo’s contract at Feirense expires in the summer. Watch this space.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
