Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has exclusively revealed to Completesports.com that he’s planning for his future after his loan deal with Enugu Rangers.
The 34-year-old midfielder is on a season-long loan deal with the seven-time Nigeria Champions following a move from Oriental rivals, Enyimba, prior to the start of the 2019/2020 NPFL season.
“My contract with Rangers will end at the close of the 2019/2020 season,” Ibenegbu who is called ‘Mosquito’ told Completesports.com.
“If not for the suspension of the league as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, I would have been through with Rangers because my contract with them was supposed to have ended with the season on May 31.
“I’m here (in Rangers) on a one year loan and after that I’m free,” he explained.
Ibenegbu, arguably one of the longest serving players in the domestic league, having spent 15 seasons in the domestic top flight with spells at El-Kanemi Warriors (2005-2006), Enyimba (2007-2008), Heartland (2008-2014), Warri Wolves (2014-2016), Enyimba (2016-2019) and Rangers (2019-2020), says he’s considering taking up club management role when he calls time on his career.
A Biochemistry graduate of Imo State University, Ibenegbu reveals that his plan is to travel abroad to undergo training course and obtain his certificate in club management.
“My plan is to go into club management after my playing career. It’s not about coaching but I want to do that outside the country,” he said.
“But if it comes down to coaching, no problem, but my ambition is to become a club manager”.
‘Mosquito’ has been a member of the Nigeria Beach Soccer Team, having featured in several beach soccer World Cup finals.
Capped 13 times by Super Eagles, Ibenegbu missed the final cut for Samson Siasia’s U-23 Dream Team 1V squad for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games where Nigeria won a silver after a 1-0 defeat by Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina in the final.
He made his Super Eagles debut in January 2012 in the international friendly against Angola.
By Sab Osuji
