Michael Uchebo

Michael Uchebo

Personal information
Full name	Michael Okechukwu Uchebo
Date of birth	February 2, 1990 (1990-02-02) (age 21)
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)†
2008–2010	Enugu Rangers
2010–	VVV-Venlo	37	(5)
National team
2009	Nigeria U-20
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 3 October 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Michael Okechukwu Uchebo (born 2 February 1990) is a Nigerian footballer. A striker, he currently plays for VVV-Venlo in the Dutch Eredivisie. He is a graduate of the Enugu Rangers Youth System and a Nigerian Under-20 international.

Career

Uchebo began his career in the youth team of Enugu Rangers in March 2007^{[citation needed]} and soon rose through the ranks, muscling his way into the first team of the Elite club scoring and setting up a number of goals. Uchebo signed a three year contract with VVV Venlo in October 2009.^[2] Venlo's football director Mario Captien described him as physically very strong striker who is a target man at the front.^{[3][4] [5]} Dutch Voetbal International, referred Uchebo as the new Kanu Nwankwo.^[6]

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.^[7]

International career

Uchebo is also member of the U-20 Nigerian National Football Team and in August 2008 he scored his first goal for Nigeria in a match against Togo in the West African Football Union tournament.^[8] In Feb 2009 against South Africa in the Confederation of African Football U-20 2009 African Youth Championship tournament, Uchebo scored the opening goal for the Nigerian Flying Eagles.^[9] He was described in the media as the most sought after player among the Flying Eagles squad in the tournament.^[10]

In June 2011 Uchebo was called up by current Olympic team and and National U-23 coach Austin Eguavoen for the crucial return leg of the Olympic qualifiers against Tanzania. ^[11]

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. ^[12]

References

1. ^ "Michael Uchebo". vvv-venlo.nl. http://www.vvv-venlo.nl/spelers-details.asp?SelectieID=65. Retrieved 14 October 2011. 
2. ^ VVV-Venlo kan Nigerianen eindelijk verwelkomen
3. ^ Spotlight: Michael Uchebo, the cult hero of VVV Feb 23 2010
4. ^ Uchebo The black Johan Cruyff
5. ^ VVV-Venlo - Borussia Mönchengladbach 1 (uchebo) - 2
6. ^ Voetbal International Who's hot Who's not
7. ^ Sky Sports Uchebo set for Stoke talks November 6th 2011
8. ^ Nigeria Beat Togo 2-0
9. ^ South Africa go top as Egypt win in Kigali
10. ^ Scouts-Jostle-For-Uchebo
11. ^ Peoples Daily Eguavoen calls Ahmed, Uchebo for Tanzania Thursday, 09 June 2011
12. ^ allafrica.com 27 October 2011

Persondata
Name	Uchebo, Michael
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	3 February 1990
Place of birth	Enugu, Nigeria
Date of death
Place of death