New Super Eagles invitee Igho Ogbu has revealed that he once turned down an opportunity to represent Norway, choosing instead to wait for his long-held dream of playing for Nigeria.
The 25-year-old CB, who recently earned his first senior national team call-up, began his European journey in 2018 when he signed a four-year deal with Norwegian giants Rosenborg.
He later had loan spells at Levanger and Sogndal before joining Lillestrøm, where his dominant displays led to a record €2.5 million transfer to Czech side Slavia Prague in January 2023.
Ogbu was part of the Flying Eagles squad in 2019 but, during his final season at Lillestrøm, was given the chance to switch allegiance and represent Norway.
However, he rejected the offer, believing that his moment with the Super Eagles would come.
“There was a chance to play for Norway in my last season with Lillestrøm,” Ogbu told SCORENigeria. “But I always knew that I would also get my chance with the Super Eagles.”
Beyond his personal ambition, Ogbu revealed that it was his father’s dying wish for him to wear the Nigerian jersey at the senior level.
Now, that wish has come true as he joins coach Eric Chelle’s 23-man squad for Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The towering defender arrived in Kigali on Monday night, fresh from an impressive performance in Slavia Prague’s 3-0 victory over FK Jablonec, where he also got on the score sheet – his second for the season.
Slavia Prague head coach, Jindřich Trpišovský, believes the Nigerian defender is vastly underrated.
“He is extremely important for us, and his performances definitely exceed his current price tag. If he played in a foreign league, his value would be much higher. He has become a complete player.”
