Michael
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
chebo About Michael Uchebo
Michael Okechukwu Uchebo (born February 3, 1990) is a Nigerian footballer, a striker who was a free agent after his contract with Belgian Pro League club Cercle Brugge expired at the end of June 2014. He signed now a contract with Boavista for the next 2 seasons, with the option to extend for another year if both the player and the club want it. He began his career in Enugu Rangers, before moving on to sign a three-year contract with VVV Venlo in October 2009. Venlo’s football director Mario Captien described him as physically very strong striker who is a target man at the front, while Dutch Voetbal International, referred Uchebo as the new Kanu Nwankwo. After saving Venlo from relegation with a late goal in extra time of the Eredivisie relegation playoffs second round match against SC Cambuur, Uchebo revealed that he won’t renew his expiring contract at VVV and on May 29 Venlo announced that they had reached an agreement with Cercle Brugge. Uchebo subsequently signed a two-year deal with Cercle Brugge. On October 11, 2014, Uchebo signed for Boavista on a three-year contact. He scored his first goal on his first match, against Paços de Ferreira, in a 2-1 home loss. Uchebo was a member of the Nigeria U-20 team and in August 2008 he scored his first goal for Nigeria in a match against Togo in the West African Football Union tournament. He also played at the U-20 2009 African Youth Championship tournament, scoring one goal in three matches. In June 2011, Uchebo was called up by then National U-23 coach Austin Eguavoen for the crucial return leg of the Olympic qualifiers against Tanzania. 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 Morocco. He received his first call-up to the Nigeria national team in February 2014. Uchebo earned his first senior cap on March 6, in the 0:0 draw with Mexico in a friendly match, playing the first half before being replaced by Leon Balogun. In the next of Nigeria’s matches, a 2-2 draw with Scotland at Craven Cottage, Uchebo played 55 minutes of the match. After Scotland had taken the lead, Uchebo equalised before the break with a mid-range deflected effort. He was however replaced by Peter Odemwingie.
Personal Information Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number: Senior career 2008–2009: 2010–2012: 2012–2014: 2014–Present: National team 2008–2009: 2014–Present:
Michael Uchebo Michael Okechukwu Uchebo February 3, 1990 (age 25) Enugu, Nigeria 1.94 m (6 ft 4 1⁄ ) Striker Boavista 75
Enugu Rangers VVV-Venlo Cercle Brugge Boavista Nigeria U-20 Nigeria
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