Ibenegbu: From beach soccer player to Super Eagles star

Although, beach soccer is far behind when compared its popularity with that of football, either here in Nigeria or at the global level, Ibenegbu’s contribution to the success of Nigerian beach soccer since 2006 cannot be underestimated. Ibenegbu has represented Nigeria twice at the Beach Soccer World Cup, where he scored six goals, not a […]

Although, beach soccer is far behind when compared its popularity with that of football, either here in Nigeria or at the global level, Ibenegbu’s contribution to the success of Nigerian beach soccer since 2006 cannot be underestimated. Ibenegbu has represented Nigeria twice at the Beach Soccer World Cup, where he scored six goals, not a poor achievement for a midfielder. He was part of the victorious beach soccer team that conquered Africa in the last edition of the African Beach Soccer Nations Cup.

Born on February 22, 1986 to the Ibenegbu family, young Ibenegbu started his football career on the street like most Nigerian and African players. And at the age of 20-year-old, the young midfielder signed a professional football contract with El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, where he banged in 15 goals in 23 matches. A year later, Ibenegbu’s impressive show at El Kanemi Warriors made him one of Enyimba FC’s transfer targets. Wasting no time, the pocket-sized midfielder, fondly called ‘Mosquito’, jumped at the offer and did not disappoint his admirers as he netted 7 goals in 21 matches for the People’s Elephants.

Just like it happens in most profession, ‘Mosquito’ had the going a little bit tough at the beginning, but quitting football for another profession never crossed his mind. His stubborn doggedness, self-belief, confidence and dedication to purpose have been responsible for the humble success he has recorded both at the club level and international scene.

Having been playing in the national beach soccer team since 2006, Ibenegbu can be described as beach soccer specialist, but, the 24-year-old midfielder refuses to settle for such a description, as his prominence at the local level also earned him an invitation to the U-23 camp of Olympics football team in 2008. Although, not able to make it to the final team of Coach Samson Siasia for the Beijing Olympics, Ibenegbu received lots of accolades from Siasia, whose advice has helped to sharpen the rough edges of his football.

 Undauntedly, he moved on with his career by putting what he learnt under the tutelage of Siasia into practice. Two years later, his efforts paid off, as he was invited to the 2010 African Cup of Nations camp by Coach Amadu Shaibu. He was one of the three home-based  players invited, but were not given any chance to prove themselves, as the former Super Eagles coach had earlier told them none of them would make it to Angola.

Currently plying his trade with Heartland FC of Owerri, Ibenegbu’s brilliance has also not gone unnoticed. With 18 goals in about 36 matches for Heartland FC, Coach Daniel Amokachi could not resist the urge to invite ‘Mosquito’ to the Super Eagles team B camp, preparedness for the WAFU Cup. Once again, ‘Mosquito proved to Nigerian why he is being described as one of the most attacking midfielder in Nigeria.

Apart from being a regular member of the country’s beach soccer team, he is also the engine room of the Heartland with his tireless work rate, marking out the opposing team’s most dangerous players, while also finding enough strength to provide defence-splitting passes for his front men to find the back of the net.

With two goals to his name in the WAFU Nations Cup, the Heartland of Owerri midfielder said he plays Beach Soccer out of his desire to serve his fatherland, declaring football as the game of his life. “However, one cannot make a career out of Beach Soccer. I don’t play it because it is my career but just that it is another opportunity for me to serve my country. Football is my career and I try to give it my best at any given time”.

According to the pant-sized midfielder, wining the WAFU Cup in Abeokuta last month is the best moment in his football career. It was not surprising when Coach Daniel Amikachi recommended the set piece specialist and five others from the Super Eagles team B for Coach Lars Lagerback. “I am so glad being among the players invited by Lagerback and I strongly believe that God, who made it possible, will still make it for me to be in the final 23.

“I have respect for all the players on the list because they would not have been invited if they were not good enough. However, I will not be intimidated by anybody because nobody is going to the camp with guns. We all have an equal opportunity to make the final list and I think there will be more attention on the home-based players because we just won the WAFU Cup,” Ibenegbu said.

Since the departure of Austine Okocha from the Super Eagles, scoring goals through set pieces has become a herculean task. But, Ibenegbu thinks his ability to score goals from set pieces will brighten his chances to make it to the South Africa 2010. “It is a natural talent that God has given me, but I try to work hard during training to practise it so that I can be better. I hope this ability of mine will count in my favour when Lagerback is making up his mind on his final list,” he said.