Nigeria’s fast rising star and Chelsea product, Ike Ugbo, finally at the weekend, turned his back at the country and now cap-tied to Canada after making his competitive debut for the Reds in a 2022 World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.
Wearing the number 12 on the back of his jersey, the Racing Genk striker entered the game as a substitute in the 83rd minute, replacing Jonathan David who netted the only goal of the match.
Four minutes into injury time, Ugbo had a chance to score his first senior goal but his shot from the edge of the box narrowly missed the target.
Ugbo was eligible to represent the senior national teams of England and Nigeria before his one-time change of association request was approved by FIFA.
England was obviously the striker’s first choice with Nigeria coming second but he wasn’t in the plans of manager Gareth Southgate while the Nigeria Football Federation delayed in processing his papers.
Ugbo wasn’t the only Canadian player of Nigerian descent on parade against Costa Rica, Hatayspor fullback Sam Adekugbe put in a full shift and was named Player of the Match.
Born in London, Ugbo spent some of the formative years of his career at Canadian clubs Brampton East SC and Woodbridge Strikers before moving to the Chelsea academy.
