Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr on Wednesday named his squad for this month ‘s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sierra Leone, reports Completesports.com.
Prominent on the list is Germany-based Kingsley Ehizibue.
The right-back who plays for Bundesliga club FC Cologne was born in Germany to Nigerian parents, but moved to Netherlands at two years of age, growing up in Zwolle.
The 24-year-old, who can also play as a right midfielder, started playing football at local amateur outfit CSV’28.
Read Also: 2021 AFCON Qualifier: Dessers, Ehizibue Make Eagles’ 24-man Squad For S/Leone Clashes ⭐
The defender made his professional debut for PEC Zwolle in October, 2014 in a Dutch Cup game against HHC Hardenberg and made his Eredivisie debut two months later against Willem 11.
He linked up with FC Cologne last summer, penning on a four-year contract.
Ehizibue, who has featured once for the Dutch U20 side, has scored one goal in 21 league appearances for Cologne this season.
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COMMENTS
Finally you are home, Kingsley. Welcome home.
This is another addition that will add steel and grits to the Super Eagles.
Kingsley Ehizibue already has the trappings of a world class full back.Would have been heart-rendering seeing him meritoriously donning the colours of another country ala David Alaba.
Your resume is lovely.
Hit the ball rolling when you are given the opportunity.
Welcome Home.
Welcome home boy!
I started following Ehizibue popularly called Ehizballe in the Netherlands, he is a fantastic player with great flexibility and agility. Swiftness needed in today footballing. The coach has done what is right. And incase you don’t know, PEC Zwolle is a Dutch football club based in Zwolle, currently playing in the Eredivisie, the country’s highest level of professional club football. They have played in the Eredivisie for a total of 16 seasons, reaching sixth place in 2015
Welcome. Make us proud that’s all
_ Kingsley who? _
In the lead up to naming the players to prosecute March’s qualifiers against Sierra Leone, the names of several dual nationality players were making the rounds for coach Rohr to convince to play for Nigeria.
Very low on the list was a right fullback (Kingsley Ehizibue) who plays in the German Bundesliga for FC Cologne. I, for one, did not see it coming.
“The young defender’s biggest strengths are at the back.” wrote Dan Critchlow of Daily Canon a couple of seasons back when Kingsley Ehizibue was linked to Arsenal.
The writer remarked further: “He makes 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game, as well as 2.4 clearances and blocks. Plus he has a great physical presence for a full-back, standing at 6’2 inches.”
Ehizibue was playing in Holland at the time for PEC Zwolle.
As he was leaving the club last season for his new adventure in Germany, the 24 year old said:”Now it is time to push my limits.
I have a good feeling about my move to FC Cologne and I am looking forward to the new season.”
For some reason, we Super Eagles fans have a good feeling that he has elected to play for us. And yes, we are (so) looking forward to the swagger, suave and swashbuckling approach to which Kingsley approaches his football.
Having hit the ground running in just his first season in Germany, the former Dutch youth International has been singled out as one of the fastest players in the history of the Bundesliga – compared with greats like Arjen Robben.
But this speed demon offers more than speed….. Yeah baby….. This guy is so sleek, so mean, he can make medicine sick!
This season, the right back – who has played 21 and of 23 league matches – is rated 6.77/10 for his performances thus far.
He is said to be fantastic at winning ground and aerial duels with the ability to make crisp clearances whilst his interceptions are said to be neat, clean and delightful to watch.
He bombs up and down the wing like Liverpool fullbacks whilst his deliveries will make you yearning for more.
Expecting all of these to be true, I am hoping that, like he has committed to push himself to the limits for Cologne, he can serve the Super Eagles with such zeal, vigour and vitality.
I can’t wait to see this kid in action!
https://youtu.be/434OPI0LBWM
A lot of folks abroad are saying that they can see Nigeria winning the World Cup sooner than later with all these talents available from around the Planet. I say kudos to the NFF Management Team for their competent and patriotic manner they handle their functions. This is the best football Administration ever in the history of football Management in Nigeria.
I watched him tonight in the Paderborn vs Koln game. He came up directly at Roght back against Jamilu Collins at left back for Paderborn.
Whilst Jamilu was the busier of the two in attack, Kingsley was assured in his tackles. He is fast, strong and made some great decisions. He only lost his man once all game and several times he pinched the ball off his opponent as well as made timely interventions.
The description of a “cultured defender” could not be more apt. He will do well in the Super Eagles
That’s great