IK Uche’s Scoring Form Leaves Nigeria’s Foes Howling

Even as Super Eagles’ Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi continues to comb all the leagues across the world for good strikers to solve his team’s poor scoring record, Ikechukwu Uche is a stand-out performer in that respect.

Apart from thriving with the responsibility, Ik Uche’s confidence and scoring flair makes him a fabulous player, and it will be an understatement to nickname him Eagles’ current Talisman.

unthorn in the flesh of Nigeria’s opponents as the country joins other African countries in fighting for tickets of the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa and the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

Ike Uche, who was born on 5 January 1984 in Aba, has been consistent by netting crucial goals for Nigeria during international matches.

He was a delight to watch during the reign of former Eagles’ handler, Shuaibu Amodu. But, the team missed him when a nagging injury denied him a place in the team to both the 2010 African Cup of Nations and World Cup held in Angola and South Africa respectively that year.

He also shone line million stars during Samson Siasia’s tenure, scoring some heart-breaking goals for the country, especially against Argentina in a tune-up game at Abuja national stadium.

After the exit of Sisaia, Ik Uche has become the messiah in Keshi’s squad. In the last three competitive matches played so far by the current Eagles, Uche has netted the crucial goals for Nigeria. He scored the lone goal recorded by Nigeria in a WorldCup qualifier against Namibia at the U.J.Esuene Stadium in Calabar about three weeks ago.

He also netted the first of Nigeria’s two goals against Rwanda in a Nations Cup qualifier in Calabar penultimate saturday.

He is showing more promise as the player, who has maintained a permanent shirt in Keshi’s new Eagles, but the humble youngster said he still has a long way to go.

“I’m happy to have scored those goals, but I still have a long way to go. My best is yet to come,” Uche, who plays for Granada CF on loan from Villarreal CF said.

He spent most of his professional career in Spain, having arrived in the country before the age of 20.

Uche’s footballer career began with Amanze United and Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri. Aged just 17, he moved to Racing de Ferrol in the Spanish second division, appearing in 24 games in his second season, which ended in relegation for the Galician team.

Uche then joined another club in the country’s second level, Recreativo de Huelva, for a fee of $300,000, and scored 12 goals in his first season, becoming the league’s top scorer in 2005–06, at 20 in just 28 games, with five braces, as the Andalusians returned – as champions – to La Liga after a three-year absence.

In his first top flight year, Uche scored on eight occasions. Notably, he netted in three consecutive matches in November 2006, with wins at Celta de Vigo and against CA Osasuna, as Recre finished eight.

For 2007–08, he joined Madrid’s Getafe, mainly being used as a substitute. On 29 November 2008, also from the bench, he netted in a 3–1 home win over Real Madrid.