A Long Road to Recognition

For years, Igoh Ogbu has been waiting patiently, knowing that his time with the Super Eagles would eventually come. Now, with Nigeria set to face Rwanda and Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Slavia Prague centre-back finally gets his chance.

Head coach Eric Chelle has called up Ogbu as a replacement for the injured Semi Ajayi, recognizing his stellar performances in Europe. At 25, the no-nonsense defender has been a rock for Slavia Prague, helping them dominate the Czech First League while proving his mettle in continental football.

Battle-Tested Against Europe’s Best

Ogbu’s journey to this moment has been shaped by battles against some of the best strikers in world football. In last season’s Europa League, he faced Romelu Lukaku, Olivier Giroud, and Omar Marmoush, and he emerged stronger from each encounter.

“Playing against Giroud, Lukaku, and Marmoush was a great experience,” Ogbu recalled. “Lukaku is very strong, but I wasn’t stressed at all. After facing him, I think I have no fear against any striker.”

That fearless mentality will serve him well as he joins Nigeria’s defensive ranks, competing with Calvin Bassey and William Troost-Ekong for a starting spot.

A Patient Rise to the Top

Ogbu’s path to the Super Eagles began with Nigeria’s U-20 team, where he featured in the 2019 U-20 AFCON and FIFA U-20 World Cup. His club career saw him develop in Norway before earning his move to Slavia Prague in 2023. Since then, he has been a standout performer, featuring in 18 league matches this season and leading Slavia’s defensive line.

Despite his consistent displays, the Super Eagles call-up took longer than expected. But Ogbu never wavered.

“I’m not in a hurry,” he once said. “I believe in my ability. If you keep working hard and improving, your time will come.”

Now, his time has arrived. With Nigeria aiming for World Cup qualification, Ogbu’s fearlessness, experience, and defensive solidity could make him an invaluable asset in Chelle’s squad.