John Ogu, the Nigerian international football player recently signed with Al-Adalah FC team in the Saudi Professional League. This was after the player had gone six months without any pro-level football action.
After having spent four years at Hapoel Beer Sheva, John Ogu had parted ways with the Israeli team in the hope of getting signed by a new club. Even a great number of football transfer punters at popular betting portals were backing him to get picked up by some popular club. However, as it turned out, he had to wait for six long months to get a call.
Many believe his move to Saudi League indicates the end of his time with Super Eagles
Staying without any club for a period of six months has proven to be extremely hard for John Ogu, who himself recently admitted the ordeal of watching others on television. In an interview to the BBC sport, he said that it had been crazy, tough and long six months for him. However, he is keen on quickly getting involved at Al-Adalah and put the recent past behind him.
Although it might be a big relief for Ogu to have found a new club at present, this move in every way indicates that his international footballer career might be coming to an end. Even though he hasn’t hung up his boots at the national team, his last appearance with the Super Eagles was in 2019, in Egypt, during the Africa Cup of Nations.
He didn’t get picked into the side thereafter, owing to his lack of match practice at the club level. But now in spite of having signed-up with a new club, Ogu’s stint with the Nigerian international football seems to be over. The ex-Coimbra midfielder hasn’t just signed with a Saudi Arabian club, but one which is on the brink of relegation. This move will not work in his favour if he is contemplating making a return to the Super Eagles anytime soon.
Super Eagles overloaded with midfield young talent
Super Eagles are right now overflowing with talent in the midfield region, with players like Alex Iwobi, Ogenekaro Etebo, Wilfred Ndidi, Ramon Azeez and Joe Aribo all fighting for a place. Going by the reports, the team is even trying to bring Ebere Eze and Ovie Ejaria on board. If by any chance these two switch loyalties to Nigeria, the competition in the midfield will get even tougher.
There is no way that John Ogu who will now play for a mediocre team in a mediocre league, will get selected ahead of these other guys who not only play for some of the top European Leagues, but also start for their teams on a fairly regular basis.
While one could argue that even Ahmed Musa is a part of Saudi Professional League, but gets invited to play for Super Eagles, his influence on the national team, being a captain, is far bigger than Ogu. In addition, he plays for Al Nasr in the Saudi League, a team which is the current champion. Despite that, he has often lost his place to youngsters such as Samuel Chukwueze and Samuel Kalu.
Considering that he is 31 years old now, it is unlikely that Ogu will replace any of the talented youngsters in the Super Eagles team any time soon.
