Startling details have emerged to suggest that Stoke City of England midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo is not injured, and only pulled out of the Super Eagles’ international friendly against Brazil because of personal matters back home in Nigeria, megasportsarena.com learnt.
In contrast with widespread reports that Etebo became the fourth player to withdraw from Sunday’s game at Singapore National Stadium, on account of an ‘injury’ he was said to have copped in action with his club, the battling midfielder is now in line for an outing with The Potters in their next English Championship match.
Etebo has been confirmed for the visit of Fulham to Bet365 Stadium next Saturday, October 19, in which he hopes to get his 12th appearance of the season for The Potters, in all competitions, as the ex-Warri Wolves of Delta State star pulled out of the Eagles’ squad not because of fitness issues but due to personal reasons.
It was gathered further that Eagles’ officials are aware of the issues confronting Etebo, hence the silence from the communications department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on reasons behind his withdrawal from the roster to face Brazil on Sunday.
While keeping mum on reasons behind Etebo’s exit, the NFF media unit simply stated that he is the latest player to withdraw from the list of invitees to battle Brazil in the Asian island nation, but no details were provided.
Down the line, though, allnigeriasoccer.com reported on Friday that Etebo had earlier flown into Lagos on Monday to settle some personal issues, with hope of rounding everything off latest b y Wednesday, then hop on the next play out to Singapore.
However, the reverse turned out to be the case for the dark-skinned schemer, was has also in the past played for CD Fereinse of Portugal and Las Palmas of Spain, as he could not finish the matter he popped into Lagos for and he subsequently informed the Eagles’ crew of his withdrawal from the squad invited to tango The Samba Boys.
The development comes five months after Etebo used a youth development programme organised by his charity foundation to advice kids on rudiments of becoming a successful professional footballer, while also urging them not to joke with education.
Speaking further at the event co-organised by Lagos-based Spring Soca Academy and Etebo Oghenekaro Peter Foundation, The Potters’ 2018/2019 Player of the Season also exhorted the over 250 kids present to put God first and be determined.
The Rio 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist said also said during the event tagged ‘A day mentorship programme with Oghenekaro Etebo’ that kids must ensure they build on other areas of interest outside football, in case they cannot go on to play professionally in the game, as not everyone that starts out from the grassroots ends up making it to the top in the round leather game.
Etebo stressed: “Hard work will beat talents any day, you have to go extra miles and ensure you give your best whenever you are called upon, put God first because he is the Alpha and Omega, be determined, and be disciplined.
“If from the ghetto in Warri, I could go all the way to Europe, you can also do better with time, commitment, hard work and God on your side. Certainly, there are Doctors, Lawyers and other professionals that will spring forth from this gathering, life is not all about football.”
